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TURLOCK, Calif. — The No. 17 Cal State Monterey Bay softball team got its offense in gear Sunday afternoon, exploding for 15 runs and 20 hits to earn a split on the final day of the Best of the West Invitational presented by Mizzuno at Pedretti Park.

CSUMB (1–5 overall) fell behind early and couldn't catch up to NAIA power Cal State San Marcos in a 9–3 loss to open play Sunday before rallying for 12 runs to blow past PacWest Conference foe Holy Names University 12–3 in the tournament finale.
Outfielders Angelina Orozco (Clovis East HS) and Skyler Valdivia (Beaumont HS) led the Otter offense with four hits apiece. Valdivia matched her career high with three hits in the win over Holy Names.

Ohlone College transfer Lauren Ermitano also enjoyed a big day, driving in four runs, including three against HNU.
In the circle, freshman Lindsey Clarkson (Fresno/Central HS) fanned seven Hawk batters in six innings to earn her first collegiate win. She struck out the side looking in the first before HNU sandwiched a single between two home runs to jump on top 3–1 in the second.

But Clarkson buckled down from that point, tossing four innings of no–hit ball to silence the Hawks while the Otter bats got rolling. CSUMB tied the game on a two–run single by Ermitano in the third before blowing it wide open with a five–run fourth inning. Another Ermitano RBI single and a sac fly by fellow Ohlone College product Mariah Nisbet capped the outburst.

Clarkson's RBI double in the sixth brought the eight–run rule into effect and she retired HNU in order in the bottom of the frame to seal the win.

CSUMB returns to campus to host its 2013 home–opening doubleheader Friday, Feb. 8 against HNU. First pitch is scheduled for noon at the Otter Sports Complex.