FULLERTON, Calif. ā The Cal State Fullerton softball handed No. 5 LSU (15-1) their first loss of the season in a 6-5 victory before falling to Notre Dame, 5-2, on the first night of the Judi Garman Classic. The Titans defeated their first ranked opponent, standing 12-6 on the season and 6-2 at Anderson Family Field.Ā
Cal State Fullerton 6, No. 5 LSU 5Ā
The nationally ranked LSU Tigers beat the Titans to the board in the second inning, scoring two runs on a single to center field.Ā
The Titans responded in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game on four consecutive walks by two LSU pitchers, including a hit by pitch.
Ava Arce sent a ball into center field for a two-run single of her own, putting the Titans on top, 4-2.Ā
With runners in scoring position,
Colby McClinton executed a successful squeeze play, driving in
Alexia Lopez (single) and
Briona Ferdman, who pinch ran for Arce (walk), to extend Fullerton's lead to 6-2. Arce and McClinton led the Titans with two RBI each.Ā
The Titans held their four-run lead over the Tigers through five innings, before LSU plated three runs off a ground ball and a fielding error by McClinton at second base.Ā
Trisha McCleskey earned her fifth win of the season, pitching six innings with three strikeouts.
Eva Hurtado (0.1 IP, BB) and
Leanna Garcia (0.2 IP, 1 K) completed the game in the circle for the Titans, earning their first upset of the season and Garcia's first save.Ā
Notre Dame 5, Cal State Fullerton 2
The Titans allowed Notre Dame to grab an early 1-0 lead on a passed ball before tying the game at 1-1 on a
Nataly Lozano single to Notre Dame's shortstop.
Kate Verhoef, who reached on a wild pitch, scored on the play.Ā
A three-run and solo home run to center field set the Titans behind the Fighting Irish, 5-1, heading into the fifth inning. Notre Dame held their lead over Fullerton until the bottom of the seventh.Ā
Nataly Lozano doubled down the right field line in an effort to rally, scoring Krisalyn Romulo (single). The Titans were retired in order the next two at-bats, falling 5-2 to Notre Dame.
The Titans return to Anderson Family Field on Friday for two games against the No. 6 UCLA Bruins (5:00 p.m.) and No. 7 Arizona Wildcats. The Titans currently stand 0-2 against the Wildcats this season, following their time at the Bear Down Fiesta.Ā
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