Cal State Fullerton Stuns No. 20 Oregon In Judi Garman Classic Opener
Cal State Fullerton Stuns No. 20 Oregon In Judi Garman Classic Opener
Cal State Fullerton used a pair of excellent pitching performances and timely hitting to shock Oregon in walk-off fashion.
The hosts from Cal State Fullerton weren’t very hospitable in their opening game of the 2019 Judi Garman Classic.
The Titans used a pair of excellent pitching performances and some timely hitting to shock the suddenly-reeling 20th-ranked Oregon Ducks, earning a 3-2 victory in walk-off fashion on Saturday afternoon in Fullerton, Calif.
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Taylor Dockins began the game in the circle for Fullerton and turned in her best effort of the season, allowing no runs and just two hits while striking out two over three innings of work.
Oregon found success once Dockins was lifted for Sophie Frost. Frost walked two and surrendered two hits without retiring a batter, leaving her abbreviated outing with the bases loaded, no outs, and two runs already on the board.
Unfortunately for the Ducks, Dani Martinez was lights out in relief of Frost.
Mid 7 | Strikeout #4 gives Dani her 4th scoreless frame!
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) March 1, 2019
We’re looking for a walk-off win pic.twitter.com/10rrHxfrF6
Martinez escaped the jam she inherited without a blemish by retiring the next three Oregon hitters without incident. She’d sit down eight more Ducks consecutively before finally surrendering a hit.
The freshman from Bellflower, Calif., finished the contest having tossed four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four. In doing so, she kept the Titans alive into the bottom of the seventh inning, with the game tied 2-2.
Lauren Amezcua picked an excellent time to record her first career hit, leading off what would be the final frame with a single. Alexa Neil moved her over with a sacrifice bunt and, two batters later, it was Deshea Hill to play the hero.
?: Here's the game-winner courtesy of @hill_deshea to upset #20 Oregon! #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/WbOVCezEFI
— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) March 1, 2019
Hill delivered a seeing-eye single back through the middle, Amezcua scored easily from second base, and the home dugout emptied onto the field.
Cal State Fullerton snapped a two-game skid with the victory. Oregon, meanwhile, has lost two straight, three of four, and six of its last 11 since getting off to a 6-0 start to begin the season.
Both teams will be in action for the remainder of the week as part of a loaded Judi Garman tournament field. Watch all of the action LIVE on FloSoftball.