CARSON, Calif. – The UC San Diego softball team swept a doubleheader against Cal State Dominguez Hills in two California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matchups Friday at Toro Diamond. The Tritons won both games by final scores of 5-1 and 11-5, respectively.
With two wins, UCSD improves to 12-2 overall and remains a perfect 6-0 in conference play. The Toros drop to 5-6 overall and 2-4 in the CCAA.
"I thought we competed well today against a very good team," said head coach Patti Gerckens. "We have to cut down on the walks, but our pitchers did a good job of battling against aggressive hitters."
GAME ONE
With the score tied 1-1, UCSD scored four runs in the top of the sixth to defeat CSUDH 5-1.
The Toros struck first in the opening inning as Alexis Viramontes stole third and got to home on a throwing error from senior infielder McKenna Clewett as she was trying to get the out at third.
The Tritons evened the score in the top of the third. With two outs sophomore infielder Lauren Sanders hit a ball back to CSUDH's pitcher, Jamie Duran, who could not field the ball cleanly as sophomore infielder Kendall Baker scored from third.
UCSD blew the game open in the sixth inning, scoring four runs aided by two Toro errors. With the bases loaded, senior catcher Emma Schneider came through with a two RBI single to score sophomore outfielder Kelsi Maday and senior outfielder Taylor Abeyta. Sophomore infielder Maddy Lewis doubled to left center in the next at bat to bring home Sanders.
Senior lefty Lexi Edwards and the Triton defense retired six consecutive batters in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings as UCSD prevailed.
Edwards (5-1) grabbed the win, striking out two and only allowing two hits. Schneider went a perfect 4-4 from the plate and had two RBI. Lewis went 3-4 and added one RBI.
GAME TWO
The Tritons scored a combined seven runs in the last three frames to take down the Toros 11-5.
UCSD plated three in the second to go up 3-0. Clewett was able to score Lewis from third on an RBI bunt. Sophomore designated player Emily Sklencar reached home on a passed ball and Baker brought home Clewett on a single.
CSUDH evened the score with three runs in the bottom of the second, including a two RBI single from the Toros' Viramontes.
CSUDH claimed the lead in the third as Analisa Nicholson bombed a solo home run. The Tritons answered in the top of the fourth as Clewett doubled to score Lewis all the way from first base to tie the game once again.
Lewis hit a triple to plate Schneider and Maday in the fifth. UCSD added to its lead with four runs in the sixth. Clewett scored on a fielding error and Sanders hit a three-run home run in the inning.
The Toros quickly loaded the bases in the sixth. Lyzette Reveles was walked by freshman right-handed pitcher Lauren Brown to score Rachael Sandoval. Edwards came in for Brown and got the last out of the frame via strikeout as CSUDH left three on the bags.
The Tritons added an insurance run in the seventh and Edwards retired the bottom of the seventh in order, including the last two on strikeouts.
Brown (6-0) grabbed the win with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. Edwards pitched 1.1 innings with three strikeouts in relief and was credited with a save. Lewis and Clewett were perfect from the plate, both going 3-3. Lewis had two runs and two RBI, while Clewett recorded three runs and two RBI. Sanders had one run and three RBI.
UCSD concludes its four-game series against CSUDH with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 20. Game time for the first game is set for 12 p.m. with game two following 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.
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