Louisville Slugger Invitational Tournament Central

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific Softball team used single runs in the first, second and third innings, along with a four-run fourth, to down Sacramento State 7-2 in the first of two at the Louisville Slugger Invitational at Bill Simoni Field on Saturday afternoon. The Orange and Black were paced by Nicole Zapotoczny, who had a career day with a collegiate-best five RBI in the first of two.  Pacific finished the day with a split, falling 11-0 in six innings to Oregon in the second contest. Pacific sits at 11-10 on the season after the pair of home contests.

Game One

In the first game of the day, Pacific's Marissa Young (5-3) was hitless through the first three innings of play, allowing just a pair of walks before Jessica Ravetti singled up the middle two two down in the fourth. Pacific supported the sophomore hurler with single runs in the first three frames against Celina Matthias (6-7) as Sara Anderson led off the contest with a single and advanced into scoring position on an error by the center field Shelby Johnston. Zapotoczny opened up the scoring with an RBI double to right center field, plating Anderson for a 1-0 lead. Pacific added to the advantage in the second after Cassidy Gustafson reached on an infield single and Melanie Habib knocked her in. Molly Bourne double to left to lead off the third and scored on Zapotoczny's single to increase the Tiger advantage to 3-0 after three.

The Hornets cut the advantage to 3-1 after Ravetti scored on a fielding error, but  Pacific broke the contest wide open in the fourth as Haylee Moran-Rowen singled to left field and advanced to second on a Habib sac brunt. After two were out, Anderson reached on an infield single, plating Moran-Rowen before Bourne reached on a fielding error, setting the table for Zapotoczny. The Tiger second baseman launched a homer, her fifth of the season, to center field, giving Pacific a 7-1 lead. Zapotoczny was credited with three RBI on the blast, establishing a new career high with 5 RBI.

Johnston led off the sixth with a double and came around to score on an RBI groundout off the bat of Kayla Papez, but unfazed, Young finished off the Hornets 1-2-3 in the seventh, ending the contest with a liner to Sydney Lahners at first base, sending Pacific to an eleventh victory on the season.

Young finished with three strikeouts over her seven frames of work, surrendering just one earned run on five hits. Zapotoczny and Anderson were the Tigers with multi-hit games in the contest. The Hornets used four pitchers in the contest, with Zapotoczny's homer coming off of Savanna Corr. Taylor Tessier was a standout for the visitors, striking out five and walking two over two innings of hitless relief.

Game Two

In game two of the day, Pacific sent freshen Kenya Lindstrom (2-3) to the circle against a formidable lineup in the No. 7/8 Oregon Ducks. Lindstrom matched Oregon hurler Geri Ann Glasco (5-0) through the first three innings of the contest, striking out one and working out of jams in all three frames.

In the bottom of the first, Zapotoczny roped a two-out double and advanced to third on a passed ball, but was left stranded as Glasco induced a groundout off the bat of Lahners to end the threat.

In the top of the fourth inning, Koral Costa doubled to right center to open up the inning, and Glasco helped her own cause with a two-run blast, putting the visitors ahead 2-0.  Jenna Lilley doubled and Janelle Lindvall singled, setting the stage for Hailey Decker, who clubbed a three-run shot to center field, pushing the Duck advantage to 5-0. Megan Walters took over in the circle and Oregon added a pair of runs on a fielding error and Glasco's second RBI at-bat of the inning, a single, to lead 7-0.

Lahners reached on an infield single with two-down in the fourth, but Glasco again induced a ground ball to end the frame. New pitcher Cassidy Gustafson, shifting over from thrid base, worked around a Lindvall double in the fifth for a scoreless inning, but Oregon struck for four more on Lindvall's grand slam in the sixth inning, taking an 11-0 lead into the sixth inning.

Glasco retired the side in order in the sixth, finishing the contest with five strikeouts over six innings of work, surrendering just two runs.

Pacific is slated to take on Sacramento State at 12:15 pm tomorrow to wrap up the Louisville Slugger Invitational. Fans are encouraged to check PacificTigers.com for weather-related updates.

For the latest on the Pacific Softball program, be sure to follow @PacificSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.