LAKEWOOD, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton sophomore Christina Washington tossed a complete game shutout in a rout of Wichita State, 10-0, in six innings at Mayfair Park on Thursday evening.
Washington (5-2) tossed all seven frames to earn her third complete game and second shutout of the season. The left-hander from Inglewood, Calif., scattered four hits and fanned four Shockers.
After mustering up just a pair of runs in last night's heartbreak 3-2 defeat at San Diego, the Fullerton (10-7) offense provided run support early, tagging four runs in the opening frame off Wichita State (8-8) starter, Jenni Brooks (3-4).
Cal State Fullerton junior Courtney Rodriguez led off the game by drawing a walk. Sophomore Delynn Rippy legged out a bunt to place two runners on with nobody out. Missy Taukeiaho singled into left to plate Rodriguez from second, later followed by Mizzou transfer Sarah Moore roping a ground-rule double down the right field line to score Rippy. The Titans would bring across another pair of runs on an illegal pitch and an RBI single by Samantha Galarza to give CSF an early 4-0 lead.
The Titans' 1-4 hitters did most of the damage, combining for a 9-for-15 effort driving in four RBIs while scoring eight of the 10 runs. Rippy (2-for-4), Taukeiaho (2-for-3) and Galarza (2-for-3) each logged multi-hit games. Clean-up hitter Moore turned in a 4-for-4 performance, driving in two and scoring twice.
The rout was on in the sixth inning as the Fullerton offense erupted for another six runs on seven hits. The impressive feat was highlighted with RBI singles from Taukeiaho, Moore, Shianne Brannan and Mikaela Francis. Galarza also chipped in a two-run double down the left field line.
Brooks failed to record an out, surrendering four runs on three hits before giving way to the Shockers' Kelsey Stemeker. In relief, Stemeker tossed the remaining six innings yielding six runs on 12 hits to go along with three walks.
Cal State Fullerton will continue to co-host the Louisville Slugger Tournament with Long Beach State, beginning with a 12:00 p.m. match up against Southern Utah, followed by Northwestern at 2:30 p.m. at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif.
Game Notes: Moore's four-hit game was the first for any Titan this year while also carding her team-high fifth multi-RBI contest…The 15 hits for CSF was the most in any game this season…The Titans now have a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series with the Shockers, both wins coming at neutral sites …The Titans have now scored three or more runs in 13 different innings over the 2015 campaign…CSF notched its first victory on a Thursday, posting a 1-2 record on that day... Rodriguez extended her hitting streak to a team-high seven games…Taukeiaho has now reached base for a team-high 15th consecutive game…Freshman Samantha Vandiver made her first start of her career in left field while collecting her first hit with an infield single in the top of the fourth frame…Catcher Sydney Colenzo also made her first start of the season…Francis logged the first hit of her career in the top of the sixth inning as a pinch hitter.