FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton (23-14, 3-1 BWC) could not overcome the early deficit falling 2-5 to CSUN (18-19, 2-2 BWC) in game one of the three-game set. This is the first loss against the Matadors since May 6, 2016 snapping an eight-game Titan winning streak against CSUN.
Sophie Frost struggled out of the gate as CSUN loaded the bases in the top of the first, but a lineout would get her out of the inning unharmed. However, she would not be so lucky in the third inning as Megan Stevens launched a two-run home run in the third to give the Matadors the early lead.
CSUN would plate two more in the third on a walk, throwing error, and sac fly as they took a 4-0 lead into the bottom half of the third.
Fullerton would respond as Kelsie Whitmore led off with a hit by pitch and then moved into scoring position on a sac bunt. Ari Williams would come up and send one off the right-center field wall for an RBI double to put the Titans on the board. Williams would then use her speed and some heads up baserunning to come in to score on an infield single from Daisy Munoz to cut the deficit in half.
The Titans would threaten again in the bottom of the sixth loading the bases on a single, error, and a walk. A dropped third strike would lead to a very close play at the plate where Irie Siofele was ruled out ending the inning for Fullerton.
CSUN tacked on another run in the top of the seventh as Kiarra Crockett-Pope hit a solo shot into center to make it a 5-2 game and Fullerton would be set down in order in the bottom half to end the ballgame.
TOP PERFORMERS
Ari Williams: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
Daisy Munoz: 1-for-3, RBI
Sophie Frost (L, 11-5): 2 IP, 5H, 4R, 2ER, 2BB, K
Dani Martinez: 5 IP, 3H, R, ER, 2BB, 3K
The Titans will look to bounce back as they close out the series against the Matadors with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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