FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team was upended by No. 3 Michigan, 9-0, following a decisive seven-run seventh inning and a complete game shutout from Haylie Wagner at Anderson Family Field on Wednesday evening.
After the Titans (13-9) hung in for six innings largely behind the pitching performance from Desiree Ybarra (5-5), the Michigan (19-1) offense showed how a national contender can manufacture runs to put a game out of reach.
Wagner (7-1) stifled the Fullerton bats all evening, tossing the full seven frames while scattering seven hits and fanning four. The right-hander stranded eight runners on the base paths and showed superior control by issuing only one walk.
Hanging onto a 2-0 lead to begin the seventh, the Wolverines' eruption began with Sierra Romero drawing a leadoff walk, later followed by back-to-back singles from Tera Blanco and Sierra Romero. The carousel of base hits continued with RBI singles from Kelsey Susalla and Lindsay Montemarano to make it 4-0. Abby Ramirez turned what was once a close contest into a rout via a bases clearing triple into the right center gap. The barrage was capped off by RBI singles from Kelly Christner and Tera Blanco.
Christner posted a 3-for-5 performance, while Susalla (2-for-3) drove in two RBIs. Montemarono (2-for-4) also collected a multi-hit game and Ramirez's (1-for-3) only hit provided the dagger en route to three RBIs.
Ybarra limited the high octane UM offense to just two runs heading into the final inning, but ended the game surrendering five earned runs on seven hits while allowing five walks and striking out four. Christina Washington entered in relief of Ybarra who failed to record an out, leaving the bases loaded and was tagged for another three runs on four hits in her only inning of work.
CSF freshman Samantha Vandiver (3-for-3) recorded her first three hit game of her young Titan career, notching her third multi-hit game while extending her hitting streak to a team-high six games.
The Titans will continue their long week and host the Judi Garman Classic from Thursday through Sunday. Cal State Fullerton will next be on the diamond against No. 22 Arizona State tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. to conclude the first day of the tournament at Anderson Family Field.
Game Notes: Missy Taukeiaho (2-for-3) tallied her team-high ninth multi-hit performance of the season…The all-time series between CSF and UM is now deadlocked at 5-5 including three consecutive home losses…Fullerton has now been shutout on three occasions…The Titans remain winless on Wednesday's with an 0-2 mark.
JUDI GARMAN PARKING INFORMATION:
With a full slate of Fullerton home events including a three-game baseball series and men's basketball senior night, the parking for this weekend's Judi Garman Classic is allocated to Dumbo Downs (or lot D), and the lots adjacent to the Children's Center. Please note that parking in this area will also place you nearest to the softball entrance to the sports complex, while other entrances will be designated for baseball only. CSUF Campus Map 