FRESNO, Calif. - For the second straight game, a decisive second inning doomed the California softball team. A three-run second inning propelled Cal Poly past the Golden Bears, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond in the final day of the Fresno State Kickoff Invitational.
Cal fell to 6-4 on the year.
The Mustangs produced a three-run second inning that started with a leadoff home run. Later in the inning, with runners at second and third and one out, a sacrifice fly brought home Cal Poly's second run. An error by
D'Asha Saiki allowed a third run to come across.
A two-out double in third increased the Cal Poly lead to 4-0.
Cal got on the board thanks to Saiki in the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles by
Lauren Espalin and
Makena Smith started the frame. Following a sac fly by Kondo moving both runners into scoring position, Saiki laced a double to cut the Cal Poly lead in half, 4-2.
Smith hit safely in each game of the tournament and is riding a five-game hitting streak.
Cal also put some pressure on in the bottom of the third. Back-to-back singles by
Amani Bradley and
Kennedy Thomas set the table for
Kacey Zobac with one out. But the rally fizzled when a smasher off the bat of Zobac was caught by a diving catch in the outfield. Thomas was picked off second to complete the double play and end the inning.
Cal Poly added to its lead in the sixth with a pair of doubles.
Candace Yingling earned her first career start.
Following a Wednesday afternoon clash at Saint Mary's at 2 p.m. in Moraga, the Bears will stay in California next weekend at the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs from Feb. 21-23.