Rutgers Softball Falls to Cal State Fullerton, No. 2 UCLA

Saturday, March 8

Long Beach, Calif.

Rutgers University

6-6

Fullerton

12-9-1

RUTGERS

Cal State Fullerton

Rutgers Softball Falls to Cal State Fullerton, No. 2 UCLA

Mar 09 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Rutgers softball team (6-7) lost a 10-1 affair against Cal State Fullerton and was defeated 9-0 by No. 2 UCLA on the second day of the Long Beach Invitational on Saturday, March 8.

Rutgers plated the first run of the game against Cal State Fullerton in the third inning, when senior Mallory Miller (Anaheim, Calif.) drove in junior Amanda Shaw (Yorba Linda, Calif.) with an RBI-single to left-centerfield. Shaw reached base safely on fielder's choice and advanced to second on an error by the Titan's second baseman.

Freshman pitcher Katye Hamlin (College Station, Texas) helped the Scarlet Knights maintain their lead as she held Cal State Fullerton scoreless until the fourth inning when an error resulted in the Titans' first two runs of the game and an eventual lead-change. Fullerton's Courtney Martinez plated a teammate with a double down the left field line for the first score and later came home herself on an sac fly from Jenna Wheeler. Shaw nearly erased Wheeler's RBI with a strong throw from centerfield, but Martinez was able to cross home plate just before the throw for a 2-1 lead.

Fullerton extended its advantage with four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to earn the eventual 10-1 victory. The Scarlet Knights had a rally cut short in the top of the sixth as they left a pair of runners stranded on base.

In game two, Rutgers went the distance against the second-ranked team in the nation, but an early five-run lead proved insurmountable for the Scarlet Knights. UCLA scored four in the first inning and one in the second.

Junior Kim Hodges (Houston, Texas) erased a potential UCLA run from the scoreboard in the first inning when she threw out the Bruins leadoff batter Katie Schroeder, who attempted to steal second base after singling to start the game. It was the seventh runner thrown out on the bases by Hodges this season.

RU went on to hold No. 2 UCLA scoreless for four innings (third through sixth); however the Bruins scored four runs in the seventh as they won 9-0.

The Scarlet Knights had gone without a hit until the third inning when sophomore Nicole Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) tripled to right field. Rutgers also received hits from junior Sarah Kalka (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and freshman Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.).

RU loaded the bases in the seventh to pose a final scoring threat. Senior Christine Royland (Westwood, N.J.) was belted by a pitch followed by a Craig single and senior Shantai Dixon (Sayreville, N.J.), who was also hit by a pitch. Although the bases were loaded, the two-out rally ended before the Scarlet Knights could plate a run.

Rutgers will next be in action on Sunday, March 9, for the final day of the Long Beach Invitational. The Scarlet Knights are scheduled to take on tournament host Long Beach State at 12:00 p.m. (EST).