The Cal State Northridge softball team went a disappointing 1-4 in its trip to Arizona State University for the Kajikawa Classic last weekend.

CSUN used an eight-run eighth inning to defeat New Mexico 15-7 in its first game, but stumbled later in the tournament, losing to fifth-ranked Arizona 8-0, 21st-ranked Nebraska 3-2, host Arizona State 11-3 and 17th-ranked Fresno State 9-3.

“I think we showed some signs of brilliance and they showed some things they need to work on,” said head coach Barbara Jordan.

In the Matadors’ first game, the Lobos jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held it for six innings until CSUN started clawing their way back. Senior left fielder Jan Moshier led off the sixth inning with a single and senior Janine Grund stepped up and hit a two-run home run, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

CSUN finally caught the Lobos in the seventh inning. Freshman Micah Putnam started things off with a walk. Amanda Peek followed with a double, but Putnam was thrown out trying to score from second.

The next batter, junior Kelly Zakosek, walked and Megan Smith hit into a fielder’s choice, though Peek was forced out at third. Moshier walked to load the bases and Grund followed with another walk to score Zakosek. The next batter, Heather Martin, singled to center to score Smith and Stacy Milne, who pinch-ran for Moshier, to tie the game at five.

The game headed into the eighth inning, invoking the international tiebreaker rule, where a runner is automatically placed at second. CSUN erupted in the eighth, scoring eight runs in the inning, including a three-run home run from senior Jenny Cochran and a two-run homerun from Peek, her first of her collegiate career.

“It was a big charcarter statement for them,” Jordan said. “I think it said a lot about what they’re (CSUN) made out of.”

CSUN, however, couldn’t get it going against fifth-ranked Arizona, as the Wildcats shutout the Matadors in their next game 8-0. Arizona scored two in the first, five in the third and once in the fourth, invoking the eight-run mercy rule after the fifth inning. CSUN’s offense stalled at the hands of Wildcat pitcher Taryne Mowatt, who struck twelve batters in her five innings of work.

CSUN fared better in its next game against a 21st-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, though the Matadors still came up short 3-2. CSUN jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Grund homered to left-center field in the top of the first inning, scoring Zakosek. Nebraska scored once in the bottom fourth on a Crystal Carwile home run, then tied the game an inning later when Lizzy Alumna scored on a strike-three passed ball. Nebraska took the lead for good in the fourth when Carmen Kier scored on a bases-loaded walk.

CSUN continued to struggle in its next game against host Arizona State, losing to the Sun Devils 11-3. Leading 1-0, the Sun Devils got hot in the third inning, as Kaitlin Cochran hit a two-run homer and Rhiannon Baca later hit a solo shot to make it 6-0. CSUN tried to rally as Moshier hit a three-run home run in the top sixth, cutting the deficit in half. ASU, however, scored five more in the bottom half of the inning to seal the win.

CSUN ended its weekend on a sour note, as the Matadors fell to No. 17 Fresno State 9-3. The Bulldogs got on the board in the top of the first inning when Robin Mackin hit a three-run home run to center field. CSUN stormed back when freshman Micah Putnam hit a two-run home run to center scoring Peek and cutting the deficit to 3-2, but CSUN once again saw the game get away from them in the sixth inning when Fresno State scored five runs to come out on top. Mackin also gave CSUN trouble on the mound, as she struck out 13 batters in seven innings of work.

“Its all about keeping the game close and giving ourselves a chance to win,” said Jordan.

CSUN continues tournament action next weekend, as the Matadors travel to UC Santa Barbara for the Commercial Capital Invitational. The Matadors face Tulsa and Big West powerhouse Long Beach State on Feb. 17, Rider and San Diego State on Feb.18 and host UC Santa Barbara in the tournament finale on Feb. 19.

Ivan Yeo can be reached at ivan.yeo.80@csun.edu.