May 9, 2003

Box Score

Fullerton, Calif. - No. 6 Cal State Fullerton clinched its fourth-consecutive Big West Conference crown on Friday night, sweeping a doubleheader from UC Santa Barbara by the scores of 8-3 and 2-0 at the Titan Softball Complex.

The Titans improved to 38-13 overall, 19-1 in the conference. UCSB fell to 34-21, 9-10. The title is Fullerton's seventh since 1986, giving it the most championships of any school in the history of the Big West.

In game one, CSF's Jenny Topping and Jennifer Holt each hit home runs to key a five-run third inning to put the Gauchos down 5-0.
USA National Team invitee Jodie Cox won her 22nd consecutive Big West Conference start as the Titans defeated the Gauchos, 8-3. Cox (18-7) earned the win, going the distance and allowing three runs (two earned) on just three hits, walking two and striking out eight. Loren Thornburg (14-12) suffered the loss, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, walking seven and striking out two.

UCSB bat's snapped Cox's streak of consecutive scoreless innings streak at 49 2/3 innings when it plated a run in the fifth.

Fullerton sent 11 batters to the plate in its five-run third inning, highlighted by a leadoff home run by Holt, her second of the year, and a three-run blast by Topping which landed in the bleachers on the second field beyond the right field fence. The Titans added another run in the frame on a bases-loaded walk to Holt to make it 5-0.

In the fourth, Cox helped herself with a two-run double with no outs and the bases loaded to extend the lead to 7-0. After the Gauchos put their run up in the fifth, the Titans answered with a run in their half of the frame on an error by the second baseman E.J. Lauchland to make it 8-1.

UCSB got a pair of runs in the sixth on a one-out, RBI single by Jami Trinidad and a run-scoring ground out by Katie Oliver to cut the deficit to 8-3. With her single Trinidad set herself apart as the Gauchos single-season record holder with her 90th total base of 2003.

In game two, senior Amy LaRocque had an RBI single in the seventh and Gina Oaks threw a complete-game shutout with eight strikeouts as the Titans defeated the Gauchos, 2-0.

The Titans scored first in the opening inning, manufacturing a run without benefit of a hit. Gina Oaks led off by reaching on an error advanced to second and third on back-to-back wild pitches and scored on Jodie Cox's sacrifice fly for the 1-0 lead.

UC Santa Barbara threatened in the fourth, loading the bases with one out, but Oaks and the Titan defense worked out of the jam, striking out Kristen Mann and getting Kim Iversen to ground out to first base to end the inning.

The Titans broke up freshman Carly Harmon's no-hitter with singles by Amanda Hockett and Amy LaRocque's run-scoring hit for the 2-0 lead in the sixth.

Oaks then shut things down in the seventh, allowing a one-out single to Natalie Adame, but getting Ashley Groefsema to line into a double play and end the game.

Oaks (19-6) earned the victory, scattering just four hits and walking two. Harmon (17-9) was the hard luck loser, carrying a no hitter into the sixth inning, walking four and striking out five on the night.

The two teams will meet in the 2003 regular season finale on Saturday afternoon (May 10) at 1 p.m. at the Titan Softball Complex.