March 6, 2010
SEASIDE, Calif. – Senior shortstop #Niki Ames# hammered her first grand slam of her collegiate career to lift the No. 17 Cal State Monterey Bay softball team to a 10-2 victory over Cal State San Bernardino in the nightcap of the doubleheader. The Otters fell 2-0 in game one.
“I am very happy winning three games versus a very solid CSUSB team,” said head coach #Andrea Kenney#. “Our pitching has been especially solid and I am confident in my hitters.
“We are looking forward to a great series at Sonoma.”
The Otters improve to 12-4 overall and 10-2 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action while the Coyotes are now 7-12, 6-6 in conference play.
Senior #Jennifer Montez# crushed her second home run of the series, a 3-run blast over left center. Junior #Marisa Trujillo# went 3-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI. Senior #Arleen Costas# went 2-for-3 with two runs in the second game.
The Coyotes had five batters with two hits on the day with right fielder Jamie Leffingwell leading the way with two doubles.
GAME 1
Box Score
The Coyotes got on the board first in the second inning, scoring a run on Leffingwell's double down the left line.
CSUSB added another insurance run in the fifth on Cervantes single to left field.
Junior #Diane Ortiz# took the loss after throwing her fourth complete game, allowing eight hits and striking out four batters.
GAME 2
Box Score
Once again, the Coyotes took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Catcher Vanessa Justin singled to right center to score designated player Carly Land who reached on a single up the middle.
The Otters' bats woke up in their bottom of the frame, scoring four runs on three hits. Trujillo led off with a single down the left line. Junior #Shannon Bailey# laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance freshman #Skyler Valdivia# who came in to pinch run for Trujillo. Junior #Channing Peebles# was awarded first after four straight balls outside the strike zone. Pinch hitter #Amanda Guzman# singled up the middle to score Valdivia. On a 1-2 count, Montez took the ball over right center wall to give the Otters a 4-1 lead.
After a walk, a single by Costas and a hit batter loaded the bases, Ames stepped up and smacked one over the wall for a grand slam to give CSUMB an 8-1 advantage.
Trujillo hit a 2 RBI double to right center to give the Otters a 10-1 lead.
The Coyotes added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Left fielder Priscilla Curiel tripled to right center to score lead-off batter Stefanie Quinn.
