FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton (9-10) played five innings of great softball, but San Jose State (14-7) put up a nine-spot in the top of the sixth as they run-ruled the Titans.
The offense was there for the first five innings as Brooke Clemetson, Deshea Hill, Ari Williams, and Julia Valenzuela all recorded multi-hit games. For Hill, it was her fourth consecutive two-hit game as she picked up her second home run in as many games. Valenzuela had a nice day at the plate going 3-3 with a pair of singles, a double, and two RBI. Along with Williams' two knocks, she swiped two bags giving her nine for the season and putting her just one shy of tying the all-time record.
It was the pitching that struggled in this one, as all three of the Titans that appeared gave up at least three runs. Taylor Dockins got the start allowing six runs (five earned) in three innings of work. Hannah Johnson took over for her and gave up three runs in 2.1 innings, while Kenzie Grimes finished out the game giving up three runs in just 0.2 innings.
San Jose State got off to an early start plating a run in the top of the first on an RBI single from Georgia Blair. Dockins would settle in for the next two innings holding them scoreless until the fourth.
The Titans plated their first run in the second inning thanks to a two-out RBI double from Valenzuela which tied up the game. They would strike again in the third courtesy of Hill's solo blast to left field.
The fourth inning was rough as the Spartans would go on to plate five runs on four hits and an error along with a pair of walks. The dagger that ended the day for Dockins was a three-run double from Emma Entzminger after a very questionable ball four call to the previous hitter. Johnson would come in relief and give up the fifth run of the inning before getting a double play to end the inning.
Fullerton's offense never gave up though as they plated two run in both the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, it was a pair of RBI knocks up the middle from Valenzuela and Hill that plated the runs. In the fifth, an RBI single from Randall brought home a run and a wild pitch would tie up the ballgame. The four-run comeback is the second largest deficit the Titans had come back from this season.
However, the sixth inning would be the demise of the Titans' three-game winning streak. In total, it was a nine-run inning on seven hits, an error, and a walk. The Spartans hit three homers in the inning (a solo, a two-run, and a three-run) to go along with a pair of doubles as well. It matches the most runs scored against the Titans in a single inning this season.
For the Titans, it's their fifth run-rule loss of the season and the 15 runs allowed is the most given up on the year.
They'll look to bounce back against Boston University tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m.
SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitans.com/Tickets. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday.
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).