Recap: Cal State Fullerton softball splits doubleheader against Cal Poly

Daily Titan

In the first day of a pivotal three game series against the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mustangs, Cal State Fullerton softball split two games of a doubleheader against the Mustangs, losing game one before bouncing back in game two.
Game 1
In game one, starting pitcher Cerissa Rivera was the hard luck loser. She set down 24 of 26 batters faced, pitching a complete game, going eight innings while only giving up one earned run that turned out to be the difference in the game.
“For all the time that I’ve been here at Cal State Fullerton, this is one of the best two weeks that she’s (Rivera) had,” said Associate Head Coach Jorge Araujo. “I think she understands, and she’s finally got it.”
On the other end, Mustang starter Sierra Hyland was able to work out of numerous threats by the Titans, picking up her Big West leading 16th win of the year with a complete game shutout.
Rivera’s perfect game was broken up in the top of the sixth after she walked Hailey Martin, but was able to set down the next three Mustang batters, no-hitting the Mustangs through six before putting up another scoreless inning in seventh.
CSUF put runners on first and second against Hyland in the bottom of the seventh after singles by both Rippy and Samantha Vandiver with one out, but were not able to score after Gonzalez and Francis were retired, sending the game tied 0-0 into extra innings.
The Mustangs were finally able to strike against Rivera in the eighth, breaking up her no-hitter on a solo homerun by Courtney Tyler giving Cal Poly a 1-0 lead.
“I didn’t get the result that I wanted,” Rivera said. “One pitch can define a game and that’s just what happened, but I’m still happy how the game went and ...

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