Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Box Score 1
Box Score 2
Cougar softball upped its season win total to 17 on Tuesday, posting two mercy-rule wins over Bethany University at CSUSM Softball Field, 11-3 in game one and 9-0 in game two.
Ranked #8 in the NAIA, the Cougars are now 17-4 this season. Bethany falls to 0-4.
It was far from the prettiest outing CSUSM has had this season, as the Cougars struggled in the field in both games. However, overpowering pitching and hitting gave the squad all the cushion it needed. Lightning-fast leadoff hitter Derrisha Lacey was a menace in game one, going 4-for-4 with 4 runs scored and 4 stolen bases. CSUSM had ten total steals in the contest.
It was Bethany though who got off to the game's first lead, stunning the Cougars and All-American pitcher Brenna Sandberg with a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning by Sarah Kuykendall. Sandberg responded predictably, striking out the next five batters and allowing just an unearned run for the rest of the contest. The win improves her record to 15-4.
The Cougars got a pair of hits and RBI from Alyssa Dronenburg and Heavin-Lee Rodriguez, with Jalisa McCarvel and Alicia Ingram adding two hits each as well. CSUSM scored one in the first, two in the third, two in the fourth, four in the fifth, and two in the sixth to invoke the 8-run mercy rule and win 11-3.
Game two would feature no early drama, as the Cougar lineup quickly took command with a seven-run second inning. Patience was the key, as CSUSM drew four walks and one hit-by-pitch in the second inning alone. The big blows came on a two-run single by Theresa Houle followed by a booming double from Rodriguez to drive in two more.
The Cougars would score two more in the third, with Kimi Villalpando singling, Sarah Quiambao reaching on an error, and both runs scoring on another error
That made it 9-0, and that was plenty for freshman pitcher Brittany Boone to work with. While Bethany pitchers walked seven batters in just four innings, Boone went the full five allowing just one walk and two hits. She pitched to contact, not recording a strikeout but allowing very few hard hit balls. She picks up the shutout victory to move to 2-0 on the year.
CSUSM will be back in action at home tomorrow against U. of La Verne.
