RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Pacific softball team earned a split on the first day of the CBU Classic, falling to CSUN, 3-0, and then defeating California Baptist, 2-1, on Friday at Jim C. Funk Stadium.
CSUN 3, Pacific 0
The Tigers (1-5) tallied three hits throughout the contest, as Carly Lucchetti, Talissa Montez, and Nina Davis provided the offense.
"We struggled to score runs, but I felt we had great at-bats during the second half of the game," Head Coach Brian Kolze said after the game. "We still need to find a way to string things together to score some runs."
Amiyah Aponte, earning her second start of the season, had a solid outing in the circle as she only allowed one run in nearly two innings of work. Vanessa Strong closed the game for the Tigers, allowing one earned run and recording a season-high four strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched.
The Matadors (4-3) took the lead in the second inning and tallied insurance runs in the bottom half of the fifth and sixth innings. Isabella Alonso shut down the Tiger bats as she pitched a seven-inning complete game, allowing only three hits and registering four strikeouts.
Pacific 2, California Baptist 1
Davis gave the Tigers the lead after two scoreless innings with a two-run double in the top half of the third inning. With two runners aboard, Davis ripped a 1-1 pitch to left field, scoring Montez and Rian Dirmeyer, giving the team a 2-0 advantage.
Hannah Glad pitched 4.1 innings in her season debut and allowed one run on two hits. Glad recorded one strikeout throughout her outing and held the Lancers (3-4) hitless through the first four innings.
After the Lancers used back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning to cut the deficit in half, Scarlett Lloyd pitched the final 2.2 innings of the game. Holding the opponent hitless, Lloyd earned her first save of the season and tallied a season-high three strikeouts.
"Hannah and Scarlett were exceptional in the circle for us, and our defense was stellar," Kolze said. "Nina's clutch hit gave us a spark, giving us the confidence we needed to finish the game."
Pacific returns to action at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, as it takes on Colorado State on the second day of the CBU Classic.