FULLERTON, Calif. – History was made on Thursday night as freshman Taylor Dockins threw a no-hitter for Cal State Fullerton (4-6) against the University of San Diego (6-6).
It all started with a quick top of the first as Dockins got a pair of groundouts and a lineout to retire the side in the top of the first. The Titans offense responded right away plating three runs in the bottom half thanks to an RBI single from Deshea Hill, an error from the San Diego defense, and a sac fly from Zoe Richard. Little did anyone realize, that was more than enough for the right-handed hurler in the circle on this night.
Two more groundouts and a flyout gave another quick 1-2-3 inning for Dockins as she went six-up and six-down to start the ballgame. Fullerton would tack on another run in the second thanks to a Brooke Clemetson single back up the middle.
San Diego would get a leadoff walk for their first baserunner of the game in the third, but the Titan defense held strong and she was left stranded on third. Fullerton would go down in order to end the third inning as they held on to a comfortable four-run lead.
Dockins cruised through the fourth with no issues striking out a pair and getting a groundout to short as she was through the fourth inning. An error would allow the first hitter to reach in the fifth, but once again Dockins and her defense behind her left the runner stranded as the Corona native completed her five no-hit innings.
Turn the page to the offense, and wow did they have a big inning. Junior Ari Williams led things off with a walk. Doing what she does best, she would steal second with no problem and then steal third as well. She would come in to score as the throw to third sailed into left field. After a pair of walks to Richard and Brannan, Bryanna Ybarra would step to the dish and crush a double down the right field line to plate another run. With two outs and the winning run on second base, pinch hitter Ari Burns would come to the plate. A wild pitch would allow Brannan to score easily and move the game-ending run just 60 feet away. Burns launched it into the left-center gap, good for a walkoff double as the run-rule would come into play giving the Titans an 8-0 win.
For Dockins, it's the 57th no-hitter in program history and first Fullerton no-hitter since Jasmine Antunez in 2013. Another note from this game…Williams stole two more bases for the evening moving her within just 5 stolen bases of the all-time school record.
Cal State Fullerton looks to ride the momentum into the weekend as they'll play four games in the Mary Nutter Classic.
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