SAN MARCOS, Calif. - With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore outfielder Emily Sklencar threw out the potential game-tying run from left field to home as the UC San Diego softball team prevailed by a final score of 4-3 in game two of a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) doubleheader, Tuesday at CSUSM Softball Field. The Tritons dropped game one, 2-1, to the Cougars.
UCSD, which moved up from fourth to third in the standings after Sonoma State's two losses at Humboldt State on Monday, is now 29-17 overall and 19-13 in conference play. CSUSM is 10-30 and 7-23 in the CCAA. The city foes will complete their series with another twin bill in San Marcos next Wednesday, April 20, starting at 1 p.m.
For its next contests, UCSD will host Cal State San Bernardino for a four-game series. The Tritons will face the Coyotes on Friday, April 15 in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. UCSD will play CSUSB on Saturday, April 16 in two more games for Senior Day.
GAME ONE - Cal State San Marcos 2, UC San Diego 1
UCSD stranded seven runners and fell to CSUSM, 2-1.
The Cougars struck in the bottom of the third with two runs. With runners on second and third, Melyssa Bellamy hit a double to bring in two.
The Tritons scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth, with an RBI single from senior outfielder Taylor Abeyta to plate sophomore infielder Kendall Baker. UCSD could not capitalize on scoring opportunities, leaving two runners on in the second and fifth inning.
CSUSM's Ashley Dagenais (6-12) was credited with the win, going seven innings, giving up five runs. Senior left-handed pitcher Lexi Edwards (13-7) took the loss, giving up two runs in six frames. Abeyta led the Tritons with one hit and one RBI. Bellamy had one hit and two RBIs for the Cougars.
GAME TWO - UC San Diego 4, Cal State San Marcos 3
UCSD escaped with a 4-3 victory after Sklencar nailed CSUSM's Lindsay Cerulle from left field to home for the last out of the third inning.
The Tritons got one across in the top of the first. Freshman infielder Maddy Lewis reached on a single, stole second and was brought home on a RBI single from sophomore catcher Lauren Sanders. The Cougars answered in the bottom of the inning with two. Amanda Horbasch hit a one-run single and Robin Alvara scored on a wild pitch.
UCSD took the lead right back, plating two in the top of the second. Baker and sophomore outfielder Kelsi Maday hit consecutive singles and both came home on an Abeyta single.
The Tritons got a key insurance run in the top of the sixth. Lewis hit a two-out sacrifice fly to score Baker from third as UCSD went up, 4-2.
The Cougars were able to get runners on first and third base with one out in the bottom of the seventh. CSUSM's Bellamy grounded out, but was able to score Holly Fauria from third to make it a one-run game. UCSD got the third out when Alvara singled to left field and Cerulle rounded third. Sklencar threw a laser from the outfield to nail Cerulle at home to end the game.
Junior left-handed pitcher Milana Casillas picked up the win in 4.1 innings of relief, limiting the Cougars to only two hits and no runs. Senior right-handed pitcher Hannah Duarte threw the first 0.2 innings, giving up two runs. Edwards threw the last two frames and picked up her league-leading sixth save of the season. CSUSM pitcher Horbasch (4-18) took the loss, throwing all seven innings and giving up four.
Abeyta had two hits and two RBIs for the Tritons. Baker went perfect from the plate, with three hits and added two runs.
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