FULLERTON, Calif. - Daisy Munoz hit a walk-off 3-run homerun in the Bottom of the 7th inning to give the Titans a 8-6 win over Long Beach State in the first game of the three game series on Friday evening at Anderson Family Field.
BUILT DIFFERENT. WALK US OFF @daisymunozz #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/qhCEF3Cgip
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 14, 2022
The Titans (35-20, 19-6 BWC) are now one win away from securing the Big West Championship. Long Beach falls to 28-21 and 18-7 in conference play.
After a game where Long Beach was ahead for most of the game, the Titans rallied to come back late only to see the Beach steal their lead away in the top of the 7th inning.
However, the Titans once again shared their flare for the dramatics as they walked it off after being down to their final two outs.
Long Beach took a 2-0 lead in the first after a 2-out double by Rylie Seip. The Beach loaded the bases in the second inning but Raci Miranda entered in relief and got out of the jam on a rocket line drive to Hannah Becerra who made a fantastic defensive play.
M2 | Long Beach loads the bases on some walks and a HBP in the inning but @hhannahh20 snags a rocket line drive to end the frame for the Beach in the second#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/afoCNsfmgw
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 14, 2022
Long Beach would once again load the bases in the third inning and scored on a bases loaded walk and a RBI groundout to second to give them a 4-1 lead.
Jessi Alcala led the 4th inning off with her 6th home run of the season on the very first pitch of the inning.
B4 | @jjeess13 leads the inning off with a ���� to CF!#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/33mjVgkxgM
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 14, 2022
The Titans finally found the breakthrough in the 5th inning to go ahead of Long Beach. Deshea Hill led the inning off with a base hit. After two quick outs, MEgan Delgadillo singled up the middle and Hannah Becerra walked to load the bases. Jessi Alcala was hit by a pitch to make it a 4-2 game.
Daisy Munoz hit a hard grounder to the left of second base and the Long Beach shortstop misplayed it which allowed two runs to score to tie the game at 4-4.
B5 | TIE US UP @daisymunozz !!!#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/mPqe5RWQVk
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 14, 2022
Peyton Toto thought she was hit by a pitch to potentially load the bases but was called back for a strike but it didn't matter as she instead roped a single over the shortstop to give the Titans a 5-4 lead.
B5 | @peytontoto1 ropes one to LF to give us the lead!!#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/ZcTrawAo4Y
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 14, 2022
In the sixth inning, Long Beach loaded the bases with no outs after a walk, single, and another walk. However, Miranda got a strikeout, a fielder's choice to get the runner out at the plate, and another strikeout to somehow escape the inning without allowing a run.
M6 | Wow....Long Beach loads the bases with no outs and @MirandaRaci just NOBLETIGER'D the Beach to get out of the inning unscathed!#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/9pmjimB3na
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 14, 2022
Long Beach would take the lead in the top of the seventh inning after two one out singles put two runners on. Naomi Hernandez doubled down the LF line to score both runners to give Long Beach a 6-5 lead heading into the bottom half.
The top of the order was due up for the Titans in the 7th. Delgadillo struck out swinging to start the inning but Hannah Becerra hit a double over the CF wall to give the Titans hope. Jessi Alcala got on board on a fielder's choice to 3B where Becerra got into a pickle after trying to advance to third but a ball thrown away allowed her to get back to second safely.
Enter the hero of the hour. Daisy Munoz bashed her 9th home run of the season over the LF fence for a walk-off three run homerun to give the Titans the 8-6 win.
Myka Sutherlin got the start and went 2.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on two hits, two walks, and one strikeout. She got the win after re-entering in the 7th inning to get the final outs of the inning. Samantha Fowler started for Long Beach and went 4.2 innings allowing five runs (two earned) on 6 hits and one walk. .
It all comes down to the games on Championship Saturday now. The Titans just need one to win one game now to secure the Big West Championship. Long Beach State would need to win both games to secure the title. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3:00 PM.
NOTES: The Titans honored their senior Jasmyn Vigilante after the game and saluted Long Beach's six seniors. With her 32nd career home run, Daisy Munoz moves into a tie for No. 4 with Ashley VanBoxmeer. She is one away from No. 3 on the list, Jenny Topping. She is also now tied for 5th place in RBI's with Jenny Topping at 128.
WATCH THE TITANS ON ESPN+
Titans fans can now watch every home softball game exclusively on ESPN+. Cal State Fullerton has built a top-tier production studio to give the viewers an ESPN quality production for all games at Anderson Family Field. Additionally, all schools in the Big West Conference are committed to producing ESPN quality streams which will allow fans to watch the Titans on ESPN+ for all road conference games.
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