A weekend that started out fairly well for the CSUN Matador softball team ended up crashing pretty bad.
The Matadors shut out the Cal State Fullerton Titans 4-0 in the first game of their crucial three-game series on Saturday, but the Titans recovered, first winning a tightly contested game 4-3 later that day, then by winning the third game in a blowout 7-0 on Sunday afternoon.
“It was a tough loss,” sophomore first baseman Jaclyn Rymer said. “We had it in us to beat them, but we need to focus on the next game.”
?Rymer had the hot bat in game one on Saturday, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI?double in the second inning that accounted for Northridge’s first run. The Matadors added another run in the inning, as Rymer stole third base and came around to score on a throwing error.
CSUN wasn’t done yet. Rymer singled to start the fifth inning, took second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Krystal Raphael and came home when freshman pinch-hitter Kristen Mihm laced a double to right field. Mihm crossed home plate on a single by sophomore left fielder Lauren Olivas. The four runs were enough for pitchers Mercedes Lovato and Amanda Pitzenberger. Lovato, a senior, pitched 6 1/3 innings and struck out five batters and Pitzenberger, a sophomore, sealed the win in the seventh inning.
The second game was a different story and it was Fullerton who got off to a quick start, scoring three runs in the first inning and knocking senior starter Sam Schroeder out of the game. Pitzenberger came in and held the Titans scoreless for five innings. Still, the Matadors had to wait until the sixth inning to break through. Junior second baseman Micah Putnam led off the inning with a single to center and sophomore right fielder Alexandria Alvarado doubled to get Putnam home. CSUN later put runners at second and third and junior Sarah Kahn-Shamout hit a flyball to left field that was caught by Fullerton freshman Sammie Dabbs. The flyball was deep enough to score Alvarado.
Fullerton got one of the runs back in the top of the seventh inning, as senior catcher Kiki Munoz sent a deep flyball over the left field fence for a lead-off home run. Junior catcher Amanda Peek responded for the Matadors, as she also sent a flyball over left field for a lead-off solo home run. Northridge had the tying run at second base with one out, but Titan senior Jessica Doucette struck out Alvarado and Rymer to end the game.
The third game belonged to Fullerton. The Titans put runners at second and third in the third inning, Munoz was intentionally walked, but Doucette singled to left to score a run. The next batter, junior catcher Lauren Lupinetti drew a walk to score another run and then freshman first baseman K.C. Craddick singled to bring in two runs. Fullerton added another run to complete its big third inning.
The Titans added to their lead in the final inning. Munoz hit her second home run of the series again to left field, then Fullerton loaded the bases with two outs and senior center fielder Jenna Wheeler hit a sacrifice flyball to score another run.
“We need to stick to one focus, stick to our plan and trust ourselves,” Rymer said.
The Matadors will travel to Riverside for three games with the Highlanders, starting with a doubleheader at noon on Saturday.
