SARATOGA, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team defeated Kentucky 6-2 on Thursday at the Cardinal Classic, hosted by Stanford. The Titans improved to 4-3 overall. 

Trisha McCleskey (3-2) pitched her third complete game of the season, allowing two runs on eight hits. She allowed two walks while striking out five Kentucky (5-2) batters across seven innings. The right-hander opened the game with a three-pitch strikeout before allowing a solo home run on the first pitch.

The Titans remained without a hit until Nataly Lozano singled into shallow right field in the bottom of the third inning. Sophia Newcomb advanced Lozano into scoring position with an infield slap hit to Kentucky's third baseman. Colby McClinton (2-for-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, R) then gave the Titans a 3-2 lead with a three-run home run to left field. 

Fullerton extended its lead over the Wildcats to 5-2 in the fourth inning. Ava Arce (2-for-3, R) singled and Annika Sogsti (1-for-2, 2B, RBI) doubled to score Briona Ferdman and Maggie Paulovich, who both entered the game as pinch runners. 

A sixth-inning hit by Lulu Sanchez off the bench, combined with a pair of defensive errors, allowed Arce to score and extend the Titans' lead to 6-2. 

Kentucky opened the seventh inning with a brief rally, drawing a walk and recording a hit with two outs, but a ground ball to McClinton at second base secured the win for the Titans. 

The Titans will play two games on Friday against D1Softball's No. 16 Oregon Ducks at 10 a.m. and No. 11 Stanford Cardinal at 3:30 p.m. 

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