FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton softball played two against San Jose State on Saturday for day two of the Judi Garman Classic. The Titans won game one in five innings by a score of 15-1 . Senior catcher Julia Valenzuela continued to her strong start to the season at the dish, going 2-for-5 with a career-high five RBI and a run scored in the first game. Fullerton then won 6-0 in game two where Valenzuela once again produced at the plate, going 1-for-3 including a home run. The Titans wrap up the Judi Garman Classic on Sunday at 12 p.m. PT against Loyola Marymount.
GAME ONE
The Titans fell behind in the second inning as the Spartans hit an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead but ultimately posted season highs in runs (15) and hits (11). In the bottom of the second inning, Valenzuela hit her first homer of the season and the fifth of her career, a two-run shot, to drive in Irie Siofele. The Titans took the lead and did not relinquish it.
The Titans scored five in the third inning as freshman third baseman Hannah Becerra got things started with a two-RBI triple to drive in KK Humphreys and Bailey Wallace. Valenzuela then drove in Becerra, Siofele scored on a passed ball and senior right fielder Kelsie Whitmore's RBI double to bring home Daisy Munoz capped off the inning.
Fullerton scored eight in the fourth, Valenzuela hit a two-RBI single to drive in Becerra and Humphreys. Ellie Zellien pinch hit and was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Then Alyssa Hernandez pinch hit and singled to right field to bring home Jasmyn Vigilante and Remington Ross. Zellien came around to score an unearned run via passed ball followed by Alexa Neil's pinch-hit two-RBI single to bring home Megan Delgadillo and Hernandez.
Sophie Frost (4-3 overall) got the win with a line four innings, three hits, one earned run and struck out five batters.
SHES ON FIRE! @julllleesss with a double to score 2 more runs to make it 5 RBIs for her today!�� pic.twitter.com/Fb5Y77zSl9
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) March 7, 2021
GAME TWO
Unlike the first game, Fullerton got on the scoreboard first in game two of the doubleheader, putting up one run in the bottom of the first inning on an infield groundout by Humphreys to score Megan Delgadillo.
Humphreys came back to the plate in the third inning and once again drove in Delgadillo, this time on a sacrifice fly to right field. Delgadillo had a strong night, going 3-for-4 with two runs and a double.
Siofele kept the inning going on an RBI single through the right side of the infield to score Bailey Wallace. After Siofele advanced to second on a passed ball, Valenzuela then reached on a throwing error by San Jose State, allowing Siofele to score and advance the Titans lead to 4-0. Siofele was 3-for-3 at the dish with two runs and an RBI.
The Titans added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-run home run by Valenzula, her second of the doubleheader. The senior went 1-for-3 in game two with two RBI and a run.
In two games against San Jose State, Valenzuela recorded seven RBI and added two runs while going 3-for-6 at the plate. The Titans bats were unstoppable Saturday, racking up a total of 21 runs on 20 hits.
Ellie Zellien started the game in the circle for Fullerton and pitched 5.1 innings, giving up just one hit and not allowing a single run. Dani Martinez closed out the final 1.1 innings gave up just one hit and no runs.
When I said she is on fire, I wasn't lying!! @julllleesss WITH ANOTHER BOMB!�������� pic.twitter.com/Q95Rz6f2bJ
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) March 7, 2021