SEASIDE, Calif. — Freshman pitcher Tori Pierucci (San Mateo/Hillsdale HS) gave Cal State Monterey Bay softball fans a tantalizing glimpse of things to come as she tossed an 11–inning shutout to cap a sweep of Stanislaus State Friday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex. Pierucci's 1–0 victory in the nightcap finished the work started by Bianca Noriega (Camarillo HS) in her 4–2 Game 1 win.

It was the ninth complete game and third shutout of the season for Pierucci, but easily her best extended performance of the season. Stanislaus entered the day hitting .304 as a team but managed just seven total and three outfield hits against the freshman righty in this one. She struck out six and walked three while earning her team–leading 12th victory (12–10) in 2016.

Stanislaus junior Karina Collazo matched Pierucci nearly pitch for pitch until the 11th inning, when Courtney Hennings (Amador Valley HS) led off with a double off the fence in left center. One out later, Anneliese Lopez (Ventura/Buena HS) followed with a double to nearly the same spot to end more than 6 1/2 hours of Friday softball.

Game 1 started 39 minutes late do to rain showers that hit 1/2  hour before the scheduled 1 p.m. first pitch. But the delay didn't slow down Noriega, who drove her fourth home run of the season to dead center field in the first inning to stake herself to an early 2–0 lead.

Stanislaus rallied back to tie with single runs in the second and third innings, but even those served only to highlight the Houdini–like performance Noriega gave in the circle.

The Warriors managed 11 hits and left 14 runners on base in the opener. But each time they appeared ready to break through, Noriega got the key outs she need to escape.

Her most impressive magic act came in the fourth inning when Stanislaus loaded the bases with no outs on two singles and a walk and the Warrior 3–4–5 hitters due up. But Noriega coaxed two infield flies and a can of corn to right from the heart of the Stanislaus lineup to end the threat.

CSUMB retook the lead in its half of the third when Lopez stole second with Hennings on third. Lopez's attempt drew a throwing error by the catcher, allowing Hennings to waltz home.

Hennings singled home Courtney Varela (Torrance HS) in the fifth inning for what proved to be superfluous insurance.

Hennings finished the day 4-for-7 with three runs and an RBI to lead the Otter offense. Varela added three stolen bases to take sole possession of the Otter single season stolen base record at 33. She entered the game tied with Jessica Wardle, who stole 30 in 2007.

The Otters and Warriors will conclude their 4–game series and their 2016 seasons with a doubleheader Saturday at the Otter Sports Complex. CSUMB will honor Otter seniors Marielle Valdez (Atwater/Merced College), Lindsey Clarkson (Fresno/Central HS) and Noriega as well as Stanislaus senior Amy Pedretti in ceremonies following Game 2.


GO OTTERS!