LONG BEACH, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton (26-15, 6-2 BWC) split the doubleheader with a 5-2 win in game one and a 1-0 loss in game two against Long Beach (17-20, 4-4 BWC) on Saturday.
Sophie Frost got the start and game one and put together a quality performance in the circle throwing five innings allowing just two run on seven hits. She also walked a pair and struck out a pair picking up her 12th win of the season.
Long Beach got the scoring started early on plating a run in the bottom of the first on a single and double from the top two in their order.
Frost would hold the 49er offense in check until the fifth inning when LBSU plated another run on an RBI single.
After being held scoreless through the first five frames, the Titans erupted with a five spot in the top of the sixth. Ari Williams would score the first of the five on a squeeze play with the bunt being laid down by Sam Kennedy.
After Janelle Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, Julia Valenzuela singled up the middle to tie the game up at two. The Titans would take the lead on a passed ball and add some insurance runs on a two-RBI single from Alexa Neil.
Dani Martinez would take over in the circle and retire all six Long Beach batters she faced to pick up her second save of the season and give Fullerton the 5-2 victory in game one.
TOP PERFORMERS
Kelsie Whitmore: 2-for-2, R, BB
Julia Valenzuela: 2-for-3, R, RBI
Alexa Neil: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB
Sophie Frost (W, 12-5): 5 IP, 7H, 2ER, 2BB, 2K
Dani Martinez (S, 2): 2 IP, 3K
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In game two, Dani Martinez was back in the circle fresh off the game one save and was stellar. Throwing a complete game, the freshman allowed just one runs on four hits while striking out three including the 100th of her rookie campaign.
The first run of the ballgame came in the bottom of the first once again as Nichole Fry connected for a leadoff home run. From there, it was a pitchers' duel as neither team could get anything going.
Martinez and the defense were spectacular throughout the entire contest. The right-hander only surrendered three hits after allowing the leadoff home run and at one point retired 10 straight 49ers.
Unfortunately, the offense could never get anything going against Coleman. Despite outhitting the Beach six to four and getting a baserunner in six of the seven innings, the Titans were shutout in game two.
TOP PERFORMERS
Irie Siofele: 1-for-3, 2B
Kelsie Whitmore: 1-for-2, SB
Dani Martinez (L, 10-5): 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 K
Cal State Fullerton will close out the series with rival Long Beach tomorrow afternoon. First pitch will be at 4:00 p.m. and all the action will be on ESPNU.
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