May 4, 2008

Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The Cal State Northridge softball team (21-23, 10-8) defeated UC Riverside, 2-1, Sunday at Amy S. Harrison Field. Sophomore Alexandria Alvarado had three hits and scored both CSUN runs while senior Mercedes Lovato won her 17th game of the season.

In its final road trip of the season, Northridge completed the sweep of the Highlanders, winning its first conference game of the season on a Sunday. The feat came one day after the Matadors won their first game when trailing after six innings, snapping an 0-20 streak with their 4-3 victory over UC Riverside Saturday.

On Sunday, the Matadors scored a run in both the first and the third inning. In the first, with two outs, Alvarado singled and moved to second following a walk by sophomore Jaclyn Rymer. Senior Jackie Duree then laced her fifth double of the season down the left-field line to bring Alvarado to the dish before Rymer was thrown out at third.

UC Riverside responded with a run of its own in the first, as Marissa Alvidrez took Lovato deep with a solo shot the bounced off the top of the fence before clearing the field. It would be one of only two hits Lovato would give up on the day, finishing with a strikeout and two walk in five strong innings.

Northridge scored the winning run in the top of the third, again rallying with two outs. Alvarado smashed her team-leading 10th double of the season over the head of the leftfielder. Rymer then snapped a single to left field to bring her home. Rymer was 1-for-1 in the game with a walk and her fourth sac bunt of the season.

Sophomore Amanda Pitzenberger slammed the door shot on any hope UCR had with two innings of one-hit ball. She retired the fourth, fifth and sixth Highlander hitters in order in the sixth and picked up her third save of the season

Lovato picked up her 17th win of the season, the most wins by a Northridge pitcher since current assistant coach Kia Fennell went 18-11 in 2004. She also carries a 2.99 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 175.2 innings of work. Pitzenberger is 3-6 and three saves with a 2.99 ERA and 27 Ks.

The Matadors have just three games left on the season, a series against Big West Conference newcomer UC Davis. CSUN and the Aggies will meet on Friday, May 10 for a doubleheader starting at noon at Matador Diamond. Saturday will be a single game, also starting at noon, with Northridge honoring its three seniors, Mercedes Lovato, Jackie Duree and Samantha Schroeder, in a ceremony before the game.