March 23, 2010

SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay softball team pulled off two victories against two regional opponents this afternoon at the Otter Softball Field. CSUMB opened with a 4-1 win against Hawai'i Hilo and closed it with an extra-innings come from behind victory over Western Washington, 7-6.

In the two games, senior #Niki Ames# led the Otters by going 5-for-7 with a double, three runs and two runs batted in.   Freshman #Angelina Orozco# finished the day with three singles.

The Otters compete in the Tournament of Champions in Turlock this weekend. For a complete schedule, click here.

CSUMB 4, University of Hawai'i Hilo 1
Box Score

After three and half scoreless innings, CSUMB scored a single run in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, junior #Marisa Trujillo# drew a walk.  Pinch runner #Arleen Costa# stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Junior #Shannon Bailey# crushed a RBI double off the right field wall to give the Otters a 1-0 lead.

CSUMB added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth.  Ames hit a double to right to score Montez after she led off with a walk. Junior designated hitter #Nicole Garcia# connected on a sacrifice fly to bring Ames across the plate.  Junior #Shae Olds# saw four straight balls and was replaced by junior #Channing Peebles# on first. Sophomore #Jamie Moon# doubled down the left line to score Peebles and extend the Otter lead to 4-0.

The Vulcans prevented a shutout with a run in the top of the sixth when Aisha Sueda led off with a triple and Nicole Alconcel hit a RBI ground out to second base.

Junior #Diane Ortiz# held the Vulcans scoreless until the fifth inning, throwing a three-hit complete game and striking out eight batters.

CSUMB 7, Western Washington 6 (8 Innings)
Box Score

The Vikings jumped on the board in the second inning, scoring two runs on five hits.

The Otters answered back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Bailey and Orozco hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Montez reached on an error by WWU's third baseman to load the bases.  Ames singled through the left side to score freshman #Skyler Valdivia# who pinch ran for Bailey.  Orozco attempted to come home on the hit but was called out on a throw by WWU's left fielder. Garcia hit a 2 RBI single up the middle to give the Otters a 3-2 lead.

Western Washington took back the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs on two hits and a CSUMB error.  Jordan Emmil hit a double to right center to empty the bases.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Montez drew her third walk of the day.  Ames singled up the middle to advance Montez to second. Garcia stuck out swinging for the second out.  Olds blasted the ball to the outfield and a miss play by WWU's right fielder tied the game at 5-5. Costas came in to run for Olds at second base.  Moon doubled to left field and Costas was called out at home.

With the international run rule in effect due tournament play, WWU place a runner at second to begin the eighth inning.  Melissa Becker laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Kali Baumgartner to third.  Stephanie Fox grounded out and brought Baumgartner across the plate to give WWU a 6-5 lead.  Relief pitcher Lisa Hernandez forced Jessica Carey to fly out to center field for the final bat.

With Moon on second base, Trujillo reached on a fielder's choice but an error on WWU's third baseman brought Moon home to tie the game at 6-6.  Sophomore third baseman #Amanda Guzman# singled through the left side to score the winning run.

Hernandez got the win for the Otters after pitching 3 1/3 innings, giving up one run and walking a batter.