Box Score Pool play at the NAIA National Championships began with a heart-stopper for Cal State San Marcos, but the Cougars ultimately prevailed 3-2 against Union College.
CSUSM improves to 1-0 in the 3-game pool play round, while Union falls to 0-1.
Cougar pitcher Brenna Sandberg allowed an early run, then was literally untouchable for the next six innings. The A.I.I. Pitcher of the Year surrendered a rare home run in the first inning to Union catcher Gina Loflin, and then proceeded to not allow a hit until the 8th inning, striking out 14 batters in the process.
Down 1-0 for a good portion of the contest, the Cougars tied it up in the sixth off Union starter Sarah Driver. Elizabeth Bush was hit by a pitch, sacrificed to second by Shanti Poston, and driven home with a big RBI single by Kimi Villalpando.
The 1-1 tie persisted into extras, where that same part of the CSUSM lineup would start the game-winning rally. Bush and Poston led off the eighth with back-to-back singles and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Villalpando then brought the go-ahead run home on a groundout, and a wild throw on an Ashley Estepa ground ball allowed Poston to score to make it 3-1.
Unfortunately for CSUSM, the fireworks continued in the bottom of the inning. Union's Bethany Outland led off with a single, and a fielder's choice that produced no outs put two on against Sandberg. After a sacrifice bunt moved the tying run to second, a single by Morgan Brown cut the lead to 3-2. A walk loaded the bases, but the next batter hit a grounder to Lauren Nelson, who was able to cut down the potential tying run at the plate. With two outs, the bases loaded, Loflin at the plate, and CSUSM holding onto the tenuous 3-2 lead, Sandberg induced a pop-up into foul territory to end the game.
CSUSM will continue pool play tomorrow against Mount Mercy, who lost to William Carey 12-5 on Thursday. The game is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM (11:00 AM Pacific).
