SAN MARCOS, Calif. — After coming within a single strike of a win before taking a heartbreaking 5–4 loss in the opener, the Cal State Monterey Bay softball team bounced back strong to earn a split with a 5–1 win in the nightcap Friday at Cal State San Marcos.
Tori Pierucci (San Mateo/Hillsdale HS) tossed a 2–hit complete game for her team–leading fifth win of the season. A third inning unearned run that scored without benefit of a hit is all that stood between the freshman righty and her first collegiate shutout. For good measure she matched her season high with six strikeouts.
The Otters rallied from a 3–0 deficit to take a 4–3 lead into the seventh inning of the opener.
Anneliese Lopez (Ventura/Buena HS) led off the fourth inning with her team–leading third homer of the season to get the Otters on the board. A 2–run single in the sixth inning by redshirt freshman
Katie Ramos (Placentia/El Dorado HS) gave the Otters a l4–3 ead that looked like it was going to hold.
But after the Otters retired the first two San Marcos batters in the bottom of the seventh, No. 9 hitter Lindsay Cerulle drew a walk in front of senior outfielder Caylyn Rodriguez, who lined an 0–2 pitch over the wall in right for just her second career home run to give the Cougars the improbable victory.
Junior catcher
Jenae Coleman (Castaic/Hart HS) was the only Otter to hit safely in both games, finishing the doubleheader 4-for-6 with a double and a pair of runs.
Courtney Varela (Torrance HS) finished the day with two hits, two runs and three stolen bases.
The Otters and Cougars are scheduled to complete their 4–game series with a doubleheader Saturday in San Marcos. Weather permitting, first pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
GO OTTERS!
