TUCSON, Ariz. - Cal State Fullerton (7-2) split the doubleheader on day two of the Hillenbrand Invitational with a 5-4 walk-off win over South Florida (3-6) and falling 2-7 against #7/8 Alabama (8-0).
In game one against South Florida, Ari Williams was the hero going 2-4 with a pair of RBI including a walk-off RBI triple securing the victory for the Titans.
��: Here's the double from Ari Williams to give us the walk-off victory! #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/p2lfKmkOf6
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) February 16, 2019
Sam Kennedy had a nice day at the plate going 2-3 with her second home run of the season and two RBI. Alexa Neil also recorded a multi-hit game going 2-4 with an RBI. Deshea Hill and Daisy Munoz were the only other Titans with hits each going 1-3 at the dish against the Bulls.
In the circle, Taylor Dockins got the start going two innings allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out a pair. Janelle Rodriguez relieved her in the third and finished the game throwing five innings allowing two runs on five hits and picking up her first career win.
The Bulls got the scoring started early plating a run in the first and a run in the second, but Kennedy responded in the bottom half of the second with a two-run home run, her second of the season.
��: @sam_kennedy5's second inning blast that knotted us up at 2 #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/CNjwXwusfo
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) February 16, 2019
The pitching took control for the next couple innings as the game remain knotted up at two until the fifth when USF reclaimed the lead on an RBI single in the top half.
In the bottom of the fifth, after an infield single and a fielding error, Neil came to the plate with runners on first and second sending it back up the middle for an RBI knock. The next batter, Williams, would do the same as she lined a shot into center field bringing in another run and making it a 4-3 lead for Fullerton.
Down to their final out, the Bulls would tie the game up with an RBI double to left-center off the bat of Macy Cook.
The Titans, looking for their fourth walk-off win of the season, were also down to their final out when Neil lined a single down the right field line putting the winning run on base for Williams. Already having a tremendous weekend, the senior outfielder would launch one into right-center and it would go for a game-winning RBI triple.
The 5-4 victory over USF goes down as the Titans' fourth walk-off win of the season and extended the win streak to five games.
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A quick turnaround for Fullerton as they had about 20 minutes before taking on the undefeated #7/8 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Offensively, the Titans were held in check for the most part. Williams continued her red hot weekend going 2-3 with her third home run of the season and two RBI. Alexa Neil extended her multi-on base streak to six games going 1-2 with a pair of walks. Sam Kennedy and Julia Valenzuela were the only other Titans to record knocks in the loss.
In the circle, Sophie Frost got the start but only went 1.2 innings allowing five runs on five hits suffering her second loss of the season. Dani Martinez would come out of the bullpen and have a nice outing against the Crimson Tide, throwing four innings allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out three. Katie Neary made her Titan debut after missing all of last season recording the final defensive out.
Alabama's high-powered offense wasted no time putting runs on the board plating a pair in the bottom of the first and three more in the bottom of the second.
It would remain a 5-0 game until the top of the fifth when Williams launched a two-run shot to dead center for her third home run of the season.
��: Ari connects for her THIRD bomb of the weekend to get us on the board! #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/9bn2HJky8c
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) February 16, 2019
The Crimson Tide would respond plating a run in both the sixth and seventh as the Titans would fall 2-7 in their first game against a ranked opponent on the year.
The Titans will close out the Hillenbrand Invitational tomorrow against host #9 Arizona. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. PT).
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