DAVIS, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton (31-16, 11-3 Big West) split the doubleheader against UC Davis (36-9, 10-4 Big West) on Saturday afternoon. The Titans took game one 9-1 in a five-inning run-rule contest while falling in game two 2-1 in nine innings.
In game one, Fullerton had the offense going right off the bat getting two runners on in each of the first two innings, but could not come through with the big hit to drive the runners in.
That changed in the third inning as the Titans sent 11 batters to the plate collecting four runs and four hits to bring six runs across and take the lead. The big hit of the inning came off the bat of Kelsie Whitmore, who drove a three-RBI double down the right field line. Alexa Neil would follow that up with a single into center before the inning came to an end.
The Aggies would get a run back in the bottom half of the third on a leadoff home run from Riley Siegel, but the Titan offense responded in the top of the fourth scoring two more runs on a passed ball and a Julia Valenzuela RBI single.
That would be more than enough run support for starter Dani Martinez as the freshman continued her dominance in the circle allowing just the one run on four hits while striking out four Aggies.
Fullerton would get one more in the top of the fifth on an RBI single from Zoe Richard to make it 9-1, putting the run-rule into effect and ending game one in five innings.
Four Titans collected two-hit performances while Valenzuela and Whitmore combined for nine RBI as the Titans extended their win streak to five straight and 12 straight against the Aggies.
In game two, it was a pitchers' duel as neither team really got any offense going early on.
The Titans scored first on a squeeze play in the top of the second. Valenzuela laid down the bunt while Jasmyn Vigilante slid in safely to put the first run on the board.
The Aggies would get the run back in the bottom of the third tying the game up at one on a fielding error.
From there, it was back-and-forth zeros being put up by both teams as it led to the Titans' third extra inning contest of the season.
The tie was finally broken in the bottom of the ninth as an RBI single gave UC Davis the walk-off victory.
Fullerton will look to take the series in tomorrow's rubber game at 12:00 p.m.
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