April 27, 2008
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -
Box Score in PDF Format 
The Cal State Northridge softball team (18-23, 7-8) dropped a 7-0 decision Sunday to Cal State Fullerton in the finale of its three-game series with the Titans. Sophomore Lauren Olivas picked up two hits in the defeat, raising her season average to .228 and to .333 in Big West action.
Senior Mercedes Lovato made the start for the Matadors and appeared heading for another stellar performance after allowing two hits through the first two innings. However,, in the third the Titans broke through, picking up a pair of singles to start the inning. Following a sac bunt, Kiki Munoz was intentionally walked and Jessica Doucette connected for an RBI single to give Fullerton a 1-0 lead.
The next Titan hitter worked a walk off Lovato, bringing home another run, and the next batter laced a two-run single to left to increase the lead to 4-0. Sophomore Amanda Pitzenberger came into replace Lovato and allowed one last base hit to give Fullerton a 5-0 lead.
Fullerton added a pair of Pitzenberger in the top of the seventh. Munoz hit her second home run of the weekend and a Matador error put another Titan in scoring position, who later scored on a sac fly.
Lovato's final line stood at 2.1 innings of work, allowing five earned runs on six hits and two walks. She now stands 15-13 for the season with a 3.18 ERA and120 strikeouts in 162.2 innings of work. Pitzenberger is 3-6 with a 3.02 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
At the plate, CSUN mustered only five hits off Fullerton starter Jessica Doucette. Senior Jackie Duree, sophomore Karla Chaparro and junior Micah Putnam each had singles in the game.
Northridge heads back out on the road for the final time next weekend, traveling to the Inland Empire to face UC Riverside. The Highlanders and Matadors will play a pair of games at Amy S. Harrison Field on Saturday, followed by a single game on Sunday, all starting at noon.
