TURLOCK, Calif. - In their first road test of the season, the UC San Diego softball team saw its 11 game winning streak come to an end, splitting Friday afternoon's doubleheader against California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opponent Cal State Stanislaus at Warrior Softball Field. The Tritons dropped the first game in a 6-1 decision, but bounced back with a 5-0 victory.
UCSD, who is now 12-2 overall and 5-1 in the CCAA, has blanked an opponent four times this season. The first shutout came against St. Martin's on Feb. 7, while No. 2 and No. 3 came in back-to-back games against San Francisco State on Feb. 14.
Game One
Hannah Duarte, who had given up just six earn runs entering Friday's game, found herself in a jam in the bottom of the first as Cal State Stanislaus jumped out to a 6-0 lead.
With the Warriors up 4-0 on two unearned runs and no outs, shortstop McKenna Clewett turned a huge 6-2-3 double play to hold off Cal State Stanislaus momentarily. The Warriors added two more unearned runs before Duarte struck out the lead-off hitter.
The Tritons nearly got something going in the next frame as freshmen Lauren Sanders and Kelsi Maday drew back-to-back walks. Unfortunately, the next three batters went down swinging.
UCSD avoided the shutout in the final inning as Kendall Baker, who was pinch running for Ashley Chestnut, scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
Duarte completed her third came on the season and allowed two earned runs on three hits and eight walks while striking out three.
Game Two
The Tritons got back on track in the finale of Friday's doubleheader. After a quick first and second inning, UCSD got something going offensively in the third. With Clewett aboard from a fielding error, junior transfer Kristin George doubled down the left field line. George's first double of the season put the Tritons up 1-0.
Outfielder Taylor Abeyta follow George's lead and drove in the second run of the inning on a double to center field. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Abeyta tagged up to score on a sacrifice fly from Sanders and the Tritons took a 3-0 lead.
UCSD struck again in the fifth. With one out, Clewett hit a solo shot over the left field wall. The junior's first home run of the season gave the Tritons a 4-0 advantage.
The Tritons capped off their win in the sixth. Lauren Irish, who was pinch running for Sanders, scored on a sacrifice fly by Maday to give UCSD the 5-0 win.
Junior lefty Alexis Edwards put on an impressive performance in the circle as she gave just three hits and one walk while striking out five en route to her second complete game of the season.
The Tritons will finish up the four-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.
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