LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 24th-ranked University of California San Diego softball team received a pair of stellar pitching performances on Friday as the Tritons captured a home doubleheader sweep over conference opponent Stanislaus State.
UC San Diego improved to 27-12 overall and 20-10 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), while Stan State fell to 24-18 on the season and 15-13 in league games.
Prior to Friday's first pitch, the fans and student-athletes applauded UC San Diego head coach Patti Gerckens in a celebration of the 700-victory milestone she reached earlier in the season.
Game One: Tritons 3, Warriors 2
Tritons' starting pitcher Robyn Wampler put together a strong performance in game one, allowing two runs and collecting nine strikeouts in a complete game effort. She kept Stanislaus State hitless through 5.2 innings.
The UCSD offense didn't waste time getting on the scoreboard, rallying in the first inning to score twice - once earned and once unearned. During that frame, the trio of Sherriah Harrington, Maddy Lewis, and Bobbi Aguirre connected for singles. With one out, Kelsi Maday delivered an RBI with a sacrifice fly.
Wampler cruised through the early innings, retiring the first 10 Warriors' hitters she faced before allowing a walk to Kaitlyn Doyle.
UC San Diego plated the eventual game-winning run in the fifth. Lewis walked, stole second, and took third on a wild pitch. She scored on an infield single by Aguirre.
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Doyle tapped a slow roller to first baseman Sharona Mataele. Doyle beat the throw to earn a single, breaking up Wampler's potential no-hitter.
The Warriors scored both of their runs in the seventh inning, but UC San Diego held on for the one-run victory.
Wampler upped her season record to 18-6.
Game Two: Tritons 1, Warriors 0
In another great pitching duel at Triton Softball Field, the two teams remained scoreless for most of the game. In a clutch at-bat, Kendall Woken delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the sixth to put UCSD ahead 1-0.
In the defensive play of the day, Triton leftfielder Michele Ota made a diving catch in foul territory to end the top of the fifth inning.
Starting pitcher Alanna Phillips (5-6) tossed a gem, recording six strikeouts to match her career high. She completed six innings without allowing a run. Wampler tossed the seventh inning, earning her fourth save of the season.
UCSD has now won 13 consecutive games against Stan State.
The four-game series concludes Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. UC San Diego's five seniors - Kendall Baker, Lauren Sanders, Maday, Rachel Phillips, and Woken - will be honored in a pregame ceremony. Both contests can be followed with a live video stream as well as live stats.
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