LA JOLLA, Calif. ? The No. 16 UC San Diego softball swept Sunday's non-conference doubleheader at home against Cal State Marcos, as all six seniors on the field showcased their abilities offensively and defensively.
The Tritons found a way to come out victorious in the games by scores of 1-0 and 8-5, improving their overall record to 31-19 and dropping CSUSM to 25-17.
Just before the 12 p.m. doubleheader start time, UCSD honored the careers of Cougar Leilani Madrigal and Tritons Nicole Fullerton, Randelle Bundy, Danielle Lukk, Melissa Ward and Jenny Maze.
“They are great group of young ladies,” UCSD head coach Patti Gerckens said. “They've worked so hard over the four years. I'm just so happy with how well they played today.”
A pitching matchup between Ward and CSUSM starter Ashley Salvino highlighted game one. The two offenses, despite having enough plate discipline to draw a combined seven walks, couldn't get on the scoreboard through the first five innings.
Both squads played impressive defense in the early going, coming up with spectacular catches on line drives all over the field. With a runner on first in the top of the second, UCSD freshman leftfielder Katrin Gabriel slid headfirst into the leftfield corner in foul territory to make a nice grab for the inning's second out. Two innings later with the Tritons at the plate, Madrigal made a running catch at full speed in the same area before crashing into the plastic outfield fences. That defensive gem by the Cougar senior ended the inning.
Starting up the pivotal rally, UCSD junior rightfielder Allison May reached first with a walk in the bottom of the sixth. She later stole second base to get into scoring position and with two outs, Maze drove a triple behind Cougar rightfielder Nicolette Nassif to plate May and give the Tritons a 1-0 lead.
Ward walked the leadoff hitter to start the top of the seventh inning but was helped by an unsuccessful bunt attempt by the Cougars that brought a force at second, the inning's first out. She escaped any danger when she induced a popup to second, where Lukk doubled up the runner roaming off of first base to end the game.
The victory marked the 61st of Ward's storied career, making her UCSD's all-time leader in wins for a pitcher. Through 2008, it was her 21st complete game and ninth shutout.
In Sunday's second contest, CSUSM got on the scoreboard in the opening inning on a one-run RBI single up the middle from second baseman Erica Coelho.
The Tritons fired back in their first at-bat of the game, the rally initiated by a double down the leftfield line from freshman second baseman Sarah Woofter. After Gabriel reached on an error that advanced her to second and moved Woofter on to third, May singled through the infield's left side to score both runners and give UCSD a 2-1 advantage. Maze entered the batter's box next and promptly struck her 33rd career home run, a two-run shot over the rightfield fence.
Gerckens took the opportunity in the bottom of the second inning with a 4-1 lead to send Ward in to pinch hit and make her first career plate appearance. Facing a two-strike count, Ward sliced a ball in front of the third baseman and managed to reach base with a hit after the ball spun away from the fielder.
UCSD added an unearned run in the third inning, with Lukk scoring on a throwing error by the CSUSM catcher Kimi Villalpando.
Despite being down 5-1, the Cougar attack didn't back down. CSUSM rallied for three runs in the top of the fourth inning before Gerckens sent in Lauren Chastain to replace the game's original starter, Fullerton.
The Cougars put one more on the board in the top of the fifth to knot the game at five runs apiece. The tying run, of the unearned variety, came on an RBI single up the middle from rightfielder Mimi Krutein.
The Tritons had a chance to take the lead back in the bottom of the same inning as Bundy attempted to steal home with two outs. Bundy broke as soon as the catcher fired the ball back to the mound after a pitch. Villalpando bobbled the return throw as Bundy tried to slide around Villalpando's gear. The catcher blocked enough of the plate to make a sweeping tag and keep the score at 5-5.
Nevertheless, UCSD rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth with a scoring spree that included RBI singles from Lukk and junior rightfielder Megan Grace.
Chastain shut down the Cougars in order during their final-bat and earned her 11th victory of the season.
The Tritons will wrap up their regular season with a four-game road series against San Francisco State next weekend.
