April 5, 2008

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -

Game One Box Score in PDF Format

Game Two Box Score in PDF Format

After dropping game one, 1-0, the Cal State Northridge softball team (14-17, 3-2 BWC) stormed to a 9-1, five inning victory over No. 14 Long Beach State Saturday at Matador Diamond. Junior Amanda Peek and sophomore Alexandria Alvarado each smashed home runs in game two while senior Mercedes Lovato earned her 12th victory of the season.

Peek opened the scoring for the Matadors in game two, depositing a 1-0 pitch from the 49ers' Bridgette Pagano over the fences in left-center to start the bottom of the fourth. The homer was the fourth of Peek's season and fourth of her career, moving her into fourth on CSUN's all-time list past Christen Bedwell.

The Matadors added two more runs in the frame following a two-run double by sophomore Jaclyn Rymer. Freshman Tracy Allen followed Peek with a single and moved to third after Alvarado reached on an error. Rymer than brought both home with a drive that flew over the Long Beach State centerfielder's head.

After the 49ers scored in the top of the fifth, Northridge came out firing on all cylinders in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Lauren Olivas led off the inning with her second hit of the game, a new season high, and moved to second following a sac bunt by freshman Krystal Raphael. Peek was then intentionally walked and Allen then earned a free pass to load the bases for sophomore Micah Putnam, who then laced a two-run single to left field to bring Peek and Olivas in to score.

Alvarado then blasted her first home run of the season, hitting a 3-2 pitch over the right-center fences. She now has 13 RBIs for the season, tying her total from last season. The three RBIs also set a new career high for Alvarado in a single game.

The game ended in the bottom of the fifth after senior Jackie Duree reached on an error that allowed Rymer to come around from second to score the winning run.

Lovato, making her 18th start of the season, tossed five strong innings to earn the victory. She struck out two batters while allowing only two hits, one walk and one hit-batter.

Game one was a different affair for Northridge, as Long Beach State's Brooke Turner tossed a two-hit shutout to lead the 49ers to a 1-0 victory. Turner fanned 10 Matadors in the game to pick up her 17th victory of the season.

The only run of the game crossed the plate in the second inning when Danielle Linke hit a two-out triple and scored on an error by Allen. Sophomore Amanda Pitzenberger started the game for Northridge, striking out four while scattering six hits and walking none.

Northridge and Long Beach State meet in the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday, playing a single game at Matador Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for noon.