April 11, 2010
FULLERTON, CA - UC Riverside's Marissa Alvidrez allowed just one hit on the day and the visiting Highlanders claimed their first-ever series victory from Cal State Fullerton in Big West Conference play thanks to a 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Anderson Family Field.
The Titans fell to 9-29 overall and 4-2 in Big West play, falling into a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings with Riverside and Cal Poly with Pacific and UC Davis, who were rained out of their finale on Sunday, standing one-half game back.
The Highlanders, who entered the weekend just 3-25 against Fullerton all-time in the history of the series, improved to 19-20 overall and 4-2 in league play, taking two-of-three from the Titans for the first time since joining the league in 2001-02.
Alvidrez (14-7) carried a no-hitter into the fourth, allowing a single back through the middle by Trina Harrison. She faced just five over the minimum, allowing an unearned run in the complete-game effort.
Redshirt freshman Katey Laban (2-6) suffered the loss for the Titans, allowing three earned on four hits and walking three in 3 1/3 innings of work. Sophomore Krystal Heinle, who allowed just four hits in Fullerton's game two win yesterday, was just as effective in relief on Sunday, allowing just one hit and three baserunners in 3 2/3 innings of work.
UC Riverside staked Alvidrez to the early lead as Kameryn Hebenton singled and moved all the way to third on a sacrifice and a ground out. With Alvidrez at the plate, a wild pitch brought her home, giving the Highlanders the 1-0 lead.
An RBI double by Tiana Towns in the second gave UCR a 2-0 lead and the Highlanders tacked on two more in the fourth on a throwing error and an RBI single by Towns for the 4-0 advantage.
That was more than enough for Alvidrez, who surrendered only a single run in the fourth after Nicole Johnson was hit by a pitch, moved to third on a passed ball and Harrison's single, and scoring on K.C. Craddick's RBI fielder's choice.
Alvidrez then shutdown any hopes of a rally, allowing only one baserunner over the final three innings to nail down the victory.
Cal State Fullerton looks to rebound with its first road series of the season next weekend as the Titans travel to Cal Poly for a three-game set on April 17-18 in San Luis Obispo.