FULLERTON, Calif. – Freshman Jasmine Antunez delivered an impressive no-hitter in game one and Tiffany Sheffler's RBI single in the bottom of the twelfth inning of game two helped propel Cal State Fullerton over UNLV 3-0 and 5-4 Saturday afternoon.
Cal State Fullerton improves to 21-25 on the season, while UNLV drops to 18-25. Antunez tosses her first career no-hitter as a Titan and Sheffler helps give the Titans their first extra-inning win of the season.
Game One: Cal State Fullerton 3, UNLV 0
After throwing two complete games against UC Riverside on Wednesday (April 17), freshman Jasmine Antunez (13-13) came back Saturday afternoon to deliver her first career no-hitter in a 3-0 win against UNLV. The Garden Grove, Calif. native tossed all seven innings issuing three walks, while striking out four.
Antunez retired the final ten batters of the game and didn't allow a base runner to reach second base. Antunez's no-hitter is the first since March 2, 2007 when Candice Baker allowed no hits in a 1-0 win versus Stanford. The freshman right-hander has won her last three starts in the circle.
After three scoreless innings, Fullerton broke open the game in the bottom of the first with a Carissa Turang RBI single back up the middle scoring Gabby Aragon from third. The Titans would extend their lead to 3-0 in the bottom half of the fifth inning after an RBI groundout from Ashley Carter scored Leesa Harris and a sacrifice fly from Desiree Ybarra scored pinch runner Lauren Mario.
UNLV's Amanda Oliveto (15-12) also went the distance throwing six innings giving up 3 runs, none earned, off seven hits, while striking out three.
Eliza Crawford was 2-for-3 and Leesa Harris was 2-for-2 with a run scored for the Titans.
Game Two: Cal State Fullerton 5, UNLV 4
After allowing no hits in game one, Cal State Fullerton and UNLV opened up the offense in game two combining for 28 hits. After 12 innings of play, Cal State Fullerton found themselves victorious after a game-winning bases loaded RBI single by Tiffany Sheffler tipped off UNLV shortstop Tayler Aleman's glove scoring Eliza Crawford from third.
The Titans found themselves in an early hole after a three-run home run from Aleman in the top of the third inning. However, Fullerton would answer back in the bottom half of the inning scoring off an Ashley Carter RBI ground out and a wild pitch that allowed pinch runner Jena Rubio to score from third.
Trailing into the seventh inning 3-2, a Carissa Turang leadoff single and pass ball, which advanced Turang to second gave way for Fullerton left fielder Leesa Harris to tie up the game with an RBI single up the middle. After three innings of scoreless play, UNLV would go on top 4-3 in the top of the 11th after a Heather Harrison home run to left field, but yet again the Titans would find a way to extend the game. After an error by UNLV's Aleman, which allowed Turang to reach Fullerton senior Ashley Carter would come up with a two-out single to center field scoring Turang. After not allowing UNLV to score in the top of the 12th, singles from Eliza Crawford, Kailey Mertz, and Turang allowed Sheffler to drive in the game-winning run in the bottom half of the 12th.
Jasmine Antunez (14-13) records the win for the Titans after tossing six innings allowing one run off five hits, while issuing two walks and striking out three. Monique Wesley drew the start for Cal State Fullerton throwing three innings allowing three runs off six hits. Sophomore Desiree Ybarra relieved Wesley and threw three innings allowing only two hits, while striking out one.
After blowing the save in the seventh, Amanda Oliveto (15-13) takes the loss for the Rebels after giving up two runs, one earned in 5 1/3 innings. Francesca Foti earned the start for UNLV and threw six innings giving up three runs, none earned, off six hits, while issuing two walks.
Leesa Harris was 3-for-5 with a RBI and run scored and UNLV's Aleman was 2-for-5 with three RBI's and a run scored.
The Titans return to action on Wednesday April 24 against UC Riverside at Amy S. Harrison Field in Riverside, Calif. First pitch against the Highlanders is set for 3 p.m.