Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
The #2 ranked Cal State San Marcos Softball team survived a close scare to come back and defeat Simpson University 8-7 in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader to extend their winning streak to 10. The Cougars are now 19-2 on the season, and will return to action next week Thursday through Sunday as weekend #2 of the 2012 Cougar Clash continues.

Game 1 (CSUSM 3 – Simpson 0)

Box Score
 
First Baseman Alyssa Dronenburg had a hand in all three runs for the Cougars, and starting pitcher Cortney Allen and the defense did the rest as San Marcos shut out the visiting Red Hawks.

Dronenburg got the Cougars started with a solo homerun to right field in the 1st inning, giving CSUSM a 1-0 advantage. She drove in another run in the 3rd inning with an RBI double that brought home Alex Miller to lengthen the lead to two. In her final plate appearance of the day, Dronenburg walked and was replaced by pinch runner Brittany Guy who stole second, and later scored on an RBI knock by second baseman Olivia Lucatuorto.

Cortney Allen shut down the Red Hawks throughout the day, allowing just 5 hits and striking out 3. With the victory, she improved to 5-2 on the season, and lowered her ERA to 1.20 in the process.


Game 2 (CSUSM 8 – Simpson 7) *8 innings

Box Score 

It took extra innings, but the victory was worth the wait in an exciting game that was won on a 2-RBI base hit to right off the bat of catcher Brittany Grier. Grier went 3-4 on the day with 3 runs batted in, including the two that tied and won the game for the Cougars.

CSUSM jumped out to an early lead with 3 runs in the first inning, and another in the second to make the score 4-0 after two.

Starting pitcher Katie Wilkinson was sharp from the onset, retiring the first 7 batters in order before Simpson finally broke through in the 3^rd inning. The Red Hawks pushed 4 runs across in the frame to tie the game at 4, but the Cougars responded with 2 more of their own to make the score 6-4 after 3 innings.

Simpson almost scored another in the 5^th inning, but center fielder Alex Miller gunned down a Red Hawk runner at the plate with a perfect throw.

The Red Hawks did tie the game in the 6^th with 2 unearned runs off reliever Jourdan Lamoureux, but the Cougars escaped the inning when Lamoureux induced a groundout to second to end the inning. Neither team was able to record a hit in regulation after that, and the game went into extra innings.

Simpson scored once in the top of the 8^th after the Red Hawks brought home the runner who was placed on second as part of the international tie breaker rule in softball, leaving the Cougars in need of a run in the bottom half of the inning.

Olivia Lucatuorto was placed on second to start the inning for CSUSM, and designated player/pitcher Kim Smith laid down a bunt to advance her to third. Shortstop Sarah Quimbao walked with one out, and then stole second to give the Cougars runners at second and third. Catcher Brittany Grier brought both runners home and ended the game with line drive rip to right field, sending the Cougars fans home happy after ensuring a perfect 6-0 record in the Cougar Clash so far.

Kimberle Smith (5-0) earned the win with 2 2/3 innings pitched, allowing just one hit and dropping her ERA to 1.08.

Photography of tournament action by Aaron Jaffe can be found at the following link.