LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC San Diego softball team dropped both California Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) contests in Sunday's doubleheader against No. 3 Cal State Monterey Bay at Otters Sports Complex. The Tritons lost 7-1 in game one before suffering an 8-0 loss to the Otters in game two.
UCSD saw its first series loss of the season taking just one of four games against CSUMB this weekend. The Otters edged out the Tritons, 3-2, in the series opener, but UCSD bounced back with a 4-2 win in Friday's second game.
The Tritons move to 15-5 overall with an 8-4 conference mark while the Otters improve to 13-2 overall and 6-2 in league play.
Game One
The Otters used a four-run fifth inning in the opener to down the Tritons, 7-1. CSUMB, who entered Sunday's contests third in the conference in home runs and RBI, got to starter Mo Omori in the fourth with a two-run homer.
The Tritons had the chance to strike first in the second inning, but left the bases loaded and wasted an opportunity to jump out to an early lead.
Cori Reinhardt retired the side in the top of the fifth and the Otters put the game out of reach in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs on four hits to go up 6-0. The Otters used a double from Nicole Pires, singles from Reinhardt and Madison Casto and a walk from Bianca Noriega to produce their four runs.
UCSD was able to plate a run in the top of the sixth. The run was scored after Kristin George led off the frame with a single to the catcher, and was brought home on a single to left center from Taylor Abeyta. The Otters then retired the next two batters to leave runners on the corners.
CSUMB added a late run in the bottom half and shut down UCSD's offense in the final frame, clinching a 7-1 victory.
Omori (2-1) suffered her first loss in the circle this season, giving up a season-high three earned runs. She allowed four hits and three walks. Hannah Duarte came in relief of Omori and finished with a line of 2.0 innings, five hits allowed with four earned runs, and fanned four batters.
Game Two
The Tritons fell victim to the run rule by CSUMB to fall 8-0 in six innings.
The Otters struck first in the bottom of the third with two runs. They then used a big four inning, producing four runs on four hits, and capped off the game early by scoring three runs in sixth.
Lindsey Clarkson was untouchable in the circle for CSUMB. She gave up just two hits and allow just three batters to reach base. Clarkson finished with a line of six innings, giving up just two hits, one walk and striking out seven batters.
Lefty ace Alexis Edwards suffered her first loss of the season to drop to 6-1. In five innings of work, Edwards gave up 13 hits, seven earned runs, four walks and record four strikeouts.
Sunday's finale was the first time the Tritons have been shut out all season.
UCSD returns to Triton Softball Field Friday and Saturday for a four-game series against Sonoma State. The Tritons will play a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Friday followed by an 11 a.m. start on Saturday.
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