CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team's three-game win streak came to an end on Saturday as the Titans dropped two games to No. 11/12 Georgia (6-4) and Louisville (4-2) at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
With the two losses, Fullerton falls back to .500 on the year with a 7-7 record and faces No. 17 Utah and St. John's tomorrow at 2/4:30 p.m. PT.
In game one, the Titans got off to a rocket start by taking a 4-0 lead but the Bulldogs answered back with a pair of three-run innings to top Fullerton 6-4.
Then, the Titans were in control for four-plus innings against Louisville with a 2-1 advantage but committed two costly errors in the fifth inning which plated three runs and lead to a 4-2 win for the Cardinals.
Game One (vs. Georgia)
Once again, the Titans' bats remained hot in the opening frame against No. 11/12 Georgia as Delynn Rippy and Samantha Vandiver got the game started with back-to-back singles. Followed by, Lexi Gonzalez being hit by a pitch to load the bases for Trish Parks who had a productive out by bringing in Rippy from third with an RBI groundout, putting Fullerton up 1-0.
Freshman Zoe Richard extended the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single through the right side to collect her seventh RBI of the year while senior Shianne Brannan joined the hit parade with another RBI single to left to lift the Titans to a 3-0 edge after one.
In the second, Gonzalez added to her team-leading 10 RBIs with an RBI double to give the Titans a 4-0 advantage.
Georgia burned CSUF starter Kelsey Kessler in the bottom half with some two-out damage as the Bulldogs plated three runs with a two-run double and RBI single, but the senior worked her way out of the inning to keep Fullerton ahead 4-3.
However, the Bulldogs put up another three spot in the third with another two-run double and RBI single to take a 6-4 lead over the Titans. Trish Parks entered the game for Kessler with one out and limited the damage after that with a strikeout and fly out, keeping the deficit at two runs.
From that point on, Parks settled in with a one-two-three inning in the fourth and a strong inning in the fifth to keep Fullerton in the ballgame.
The sophomore did encounter some trouble in the sixth but found a way out of it, thanks to a smooth 6-4-3 double play from Brannan and Colenzo, followed by a punch out.
In the final frame, Vandiver drew a walk with one out while Parks hit a liner to the pitcher that fell for a hit and the pair of Titans reached second and third on a wild pitch to put two runners in scoring position for Richard.
The freshman battled in a tough at-bat, but couldn't get the hit Fullerton needed as she struck out looking to end the game.
Overall, the Titans collected nine hits on four runs and committed no errors in the contest. Rippy and Vandiver both had multi-hit games for Fullerton against Georgia while Gonzalez, Parks, Richard and Brannan all collected RBIs.
Game Two (vs. Louisville)
After a tough-loss to Georgia, the Titans offense struck first yet again against Louisville with a pair of runs in the second and third innings.
Rippy got the scoring started for Fullerton in the second with an RBI single to center that scored Emily Randall from third, putting the Titans up 1-0.
Louisville answered with a run of its own in the second off an error from second baseman Irieanna Siofele, tying the score at one.
In the third, the Titans retook the lead with Brannan beating out an infield single to score pinch runner Brooke Clemetson from third and give the Titans a 2-1 lead.
But, a costly error in the fifth plagued Fullerton as Kessler came in for Golden and induced a groundout but made an errant throw to first which led to the Cardinals taking a 3-2 lead. Shortly after, a deep fly ball to center had Titans centerfielder Arianna Burns backtracking and the freshman couldn't keep her feet after making the catch which scored the runner from second to make it a 4-2 game.
Fullerton didn't go away as the Titans loaded the bases with one out, but they came up empty in the inning as Parks struck out swinging and Richard grounded into a fielder's choice to end the threat.
Burns made it interesting in the final frame with a deep ball to left with pinch runner Ariana Williams on second, but the ball died at the warning track to give the Cardinals a 4-2 win.
Overall, the Titans scored two runs on nine hits and committed three errors. Vandiver, Burns and Siofele each finished the game with two hits while Gonzalez collected three walks (one intentional).
THE PERFECT 10 - GET 10 SOFTBALL TICKETS FOR $60!
Tickets come as vouchers and can be used all at one game, 10 games, the choice is yours!
Tickets are good for all games and tournaments excluding the Judi Garman Classic
For more information contact the Titans Ticket Office at 657-278-2783
FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (FullertonTitans) and Snapchat (FullertonTitans). In addition, the softball team has established its own Twitter (@CSUFSoftball), Facebook (Cal State Fullerton Titan Softball) and Instagram accounts (@CSUFSoftball).