April 22, 2007
FULLERTON, CA - Casey Goldsand's two-run single in the sixth erased a one-run deficit and Alyce Jorgensen's two-run single in the seventh provided visiting Pacific with a pair of much-needed insurance runs as the Tigers hung on for a 5-4 victory over Cal State Fullerton to salvage the final game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Anderson Family Field.
The loss drops the Titans to 27-18 overall, 9-3 in the Big West Conference while the Tigers improved to 32-15 overall, 7-2 in league play.
Free bases proved to be harmful for Fullerton on the afternoon as a hit batter, two walks, and a pair of errors led to all of Pacific's runs on the day.
The Tigers jumped out early in the second as Lauren Weyman was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and later came home on a double by Brianna Santos for the 1-0 lead.
The Titans answered back to tie the game in the third as Candice Baker led off with the first of her three doubles on the day and later scored on Lauren Lupinetti's double to make it 1-1.
Cal State Fullerton rallied for the go-ahead run in the fourth as Whitney Kroh drew a two-out walk to bring up Baker, who doubled to right centerfield, plating Kroh from first to make it 2-1.
Pacific answered to take the lead in the sixth as Jennifer Curtier walked and moved to second on a sacrifice by Weyman. Jorgensen then drew a walk to put a pair on before an infield single by Karie Wilson loaded the bases.
After a fly ball for the second out, Goldsand then laced a single into left centerfield, driving home Curtier and pinch-runner Lauren Sandelin for the winning runs.
The Tigers tacked on two more in the seventh on Jorgensen's two-run single after a pair of errors and a walk loaded the bases.
Fullerton put on a rally of its own in the seventh as Baker doubled once again to led off the inning and came home one batter later as Jessica Doucette slugged her seventh home run of the season over the fence in left center to cut the deficit to 5-4.
However, Chelsea Engle (18-10) worked out of the jam, retiring the next three Titans in order to end the game.
Engle allowed four runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out three in the victory. Baker (16-10) suffered the loss, allowing three earned on six hits and striking out five in the complete-game effort.
Aside from Baker's 3-for-3 performance at the plate, Doucette also finished with a pair of hits as did Kiki Munoz, who finished 2-for-3. Six different players had single hits for the Tigers.
Cal State Fullerton takes a break from Big West play next weekend as the Titans head north to UC Davis for a three-game non-conference series at La Rue Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. on both days.