BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team won its fifth straight game after defeating CSU Bakersfield by a score of 8-2 Wednesday afternoon in a midweek, non-conference affair.
Fullerton (25-9) used two big innings in which it scored three and four runs, respectively, while Cerissa Rivera and Jasmine Antunez combined to hold off Bakersfield (6-16). Antunez (3-1) earned the win, while Rivera was credited with the no decision.
The Titans took an early lead after plating three runs in the top of the second on two hits. A pair of walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for Delynn Rippy who sent a single back up the middle to drive in the first two runs of the game. Samantha Vandiver followed with an RBI-double to left, which scored Rippy and gave Fullerton a 3-0 advantage.
CSU Bakersfield countered in the fourth, but was only able to muster one run after two singles and a walk.
Rivera did a solid job in the circle as she pitched 3.0 innings of work and allowed one run on five hits, while recording one strike out.
Fullerton added to its lead and scored four runs in the fourth thanks in part to a three-run home run off the bat of Alexis Gonzalez.
Shianne Brannan scored the first run of the inning for the Titans as she came in on an illegal pitch. Gonzalez's blast drove in Vandiver and Missy Taukeiaho, who each drew a walk, to mark her team-leading fifth homer of the year and gave the Titans a 7-1 lead.
Cal State Fullerton made a pitching change in the top of the fourth and brought in Jasmine Antunez to relieve Rivera. Antunez pitched 4.0 innings of work, while allowing one run on four hits. She struck out one en route to earning her third win of the year.
The Roadrunners added their second run of the game in the sixth after doubles by Chris Hipa and Josie Flores. However, the Titans' defense did a good job helping Rivera and Antunez as the Road Runners left 10 runners on base in the game.
Amber Mills (3-5) suffered the loss after earning the start and being pulled after 1.2 innings of work. She came back in the game after Lyndsay Klimenko and Alyssa Stockton combined for 4.0 innings pitched. Mills finished the game pitching a total of 3.0 innings, while allowing three runs on as many hits with three walks.
Gonzalez finished the game batting 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, while Rippy was 1-for-2 with two runs batted in and Brannan scored two runs after going 1-for-1.
Cal State Fullerton will be back in action at Anderson Family Field on Tuesday, March 29 when it hosts UCLA at 6 p.m.