Cal State Fullerton 15, Boise State 4 Box Score (PDF)
Nevada 6, Cal State Fullerton 5 Box Score (PDF)
LAS VEGAS — The 25th-ranked Cal State Fullerton softball team used two five-run innings to rout Boise State, 15-4, while falling to Nevada, 6-5, in day one of the Wilson/Demarini Desert Classic at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park on Friday.
With a split on the first day of competition, the Titans reach 5-2, while Boise State falls to 3-3 and Nevada advances to 2-5.
Cal State Fullerton will compete with BYU tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. immediately followed by Utah at 1:30 p.m. in day two of the Wilson/Demarini Desert Classic at UNLV's Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas.
GAME ONE: No. 25 Cal State Fullerton 15, Boise State 4
Fullerton recorded only one hit in a five run second inning, but cruised to its first run rule victory of the season by a 9-0 decision in six innings.
The decisive second frame began with consecutive walks to freshman Shianne Brannan and Delynn Rippy off of Nevada starter Mackenzie McGill (2-2). Reigning Big West Player of the Year Missy Taukeiaho roped her first double of the season, driving in Brannan. Courtney Rodriguez lifted a sacrifice fly to drive in Rippy to make it 4-0.
Following another pair of walks to designated player Eliza Crawford and Kylie Padilla, both runners would later score via a fielding error by Broncos' second baseman Jordan Kreiger. Sarah Moore drew another walk in the inning and Shianne Brannan was hit by a pitch to drive in another run in her second at bat of the frame.
McGill labored through three and 2/3 innings, surrendering nine runs on only three hits, but seven walks proved to be costly and put the Wolf Pack in an insurmountable hole.
Fullerton cruised from that point forward, carding at least a run in each inning including a second five run outburst in the sixth.
Boise State struggled both in the circle and defensively, yielding a combined 13 walks, five hit batters, and four crucial errors that translated into six unearned runs among the season-high 15 for Fullerton.
Christina Washington (2-0) was superb in the circle for the Titans, recording the full six innings after exiting and re-entering the game, yielding one unearned run, while surrendering just two hits.
GAME TWO: No. 25 Cal State Fullerton 6, Nevada 5
The Titans mounted a five run inning in the sixth, but the rally fell just short and Fullerton suffered its second loss of the season.
Nevada jumped out early scoring at least once over the first several frames, leading 6-0 after the first four innings. Four Nevada batters posted multi-performances of 2-for-4 from the likes of Aallyah Gibson, Jasmine Jenkins, Alyssa Mendez and Amanda Weis.
Wolf Pack starter Megan Dortch (1-1) posted five and 2/3 innings, fanning eight Titans while giving up four earned runs.
Chase Redington picked up her first save of the season tossing the final one and 1/3 innings, stifling Fullerton to only one hit.
Fullerton's final threat in the sixth began with Sarah Moore drawing a walk. Shianne Brannan reached on a fielder's choice and Delynn Rippy followed with a single into center to move Brannan to second. Missy Taukeiaho struck for an RBI single to right, and Courtney Rodriguez followed with an RBI double down the right field line. Eliza Crawford was then hit by a pitch for the second time in the contest. Catcher Kylie Padilla drew a bases loaded walk and Samantha Galarza followed by forcing a throwing error by the shortstop, scoring Crawford and Rodriguez to close the gap to 6-5. In her second at bat of the inning, Brannan grounded out to end the rally.
Rodriguez turned in a 3-for-5 performance, scoring once while collecting one RBI on the evening.
Titans' starter Jasmine Antunez (1-2) was unable to survive the second inning, surrendering four runs on four hits. Desiree Ybarra tossed five and 1/3 innings of solid relief, holding the Wolf Pack to two runs while fanning three.
Game Notes: Fullerton is now 3-1 on the season in Friday games…Nevada evened the all-time series between the two squads to 2-2.
