Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
SAN MARCOS, Calif— The Cal State San Marcos softball team closed out their 2013 home schedule with a pair of victories, and senior pitcher Cortney Allen— the only senior on the squad— recorded both wins on Senior Day in a pair of 1-0 and 5-1 victories at the CSUSM Softball Field.
 
In the opening game, CSUSM got on the scoreboard in the first inning with three consecutive two-out singles by Alex Miller, Olivia Lucatuorto, and Sarah Quiambao to take a 1-0 lead.
 
Often times with Cortney Allen on the hill, one run is all the team needs to win, and it proved to be true in this instance, as Quiambao's single ended up being the game's only run.
 
The Cougars threatened again with back-to-back two out singles in the second inning and again in the fourth on an Alex Miller double to center, but were unable to bring another run across. The Cougars tallied nine hits on the game.
 
Allen (28-3) allowed just three singles and a walk to the Lions in seven innings, not allowing a runner to reach past second base.
 
In between games, the Cougars honored the four seniors on the Lions before hosting senior day festivities for Allen— a returning First-Team NAIA All-American and the current national leader in wins.
 
After being recognized by her teammates and fans, it was back to work for Allen in the pitching circle. In the second half of the doubleheader, CSUSM once again jumped out to an early lead on a bases loaded double by shortstop Sarah Quiambao, taking a 2-0 edge after the first inning.
 
Vanguard countered in the top of the second by getting runners on the corners, but Cortney Allen drew a pop-up to herself to end the threat.
 
In the third inning, the Cougar offense struck again as Alex Miller ripped a double off the left field wall and Olivia Lucatuorto brought her home with a single up the middle to make it 3-0.
 
In the fifth inning the Cougars added two more runs after a single by Brittney Guy and four errors by the Lion defense. Olivia Lucatuorto struck out swinging but reached on a passed ball and aggressively took second base to draw a throw and an error to bring home both runs.
 
With the Cougars leading 5-0 heading into the final inning, Vanguard finally got through against Allen with an RBI single to right before ending the game with a double play after flyout to right a strong throw back to first base to nab the runner.
 
After allowing just one run over 14 innings Tuesday, Allen (29-3) lowered her ERA to 0.90.
 
With the victories, CSUSM improves to 36-6 on the year. Vanguard drops to 32-22 with the losses.
 
Over the weekend, the Cougars will travel to northern California for their final three matchups of the year. They will start the trip in Atherton, Calif for a doubleheader Friday against Menlo College and have a day off Saturday before taking on Simpson University Sunday in Redding, Calif. The Cougars will wrap up the regular season Monday by taking on William Jessup in a doubleheader in Rocklin, Calif.