The Cal Poly softball program was limited to five total hits during both ends of a Tuesday doubleheader at Seattle as the Mustangs dropped the opening matchup 15-0, and the second game, 8-0, in a pair of five-inning, run-rule decisions.
During Tuesday’s second matchup against Seattle (22-11), Cal Poly enjoyed the best early scoring opportunity with senior right fielder Crimson Kaiser drawing a leadoff walk in the top of the second before junior designated player Shelby Jeffries singled. After freshman shortstop Maddie Amos moved both into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, senior left fielder Sydney James drew a walk to load the bases. Seattle starter Andie Larkins (8-2), however, struck out junior second baseman Alyssa McKiernan and forced a fly out from senior third baseman Noa Yakir to end the threat.
Cal Poly starting righthander Dakota Casper (0-3) kept the Redhawks to one hit in the first inning before the hosts broke through with a four-run second as left fielder Cherise Silvan, third baseman Alyson Matriotti, center fielder Olivia Viggiano and right fielder Ally Choate all produced run-scoring hits.
Behind first baseman Madison Cathcart’s bases-clearing double in the third, Seattle pushed its advantage to 7-0 before notching the decisive run in the bottom of the fifth.
Offensively, Cal Poly was held to just the Jeffries single.
During Tuesday’s opening matchup versus the Redhawks, Seattle notched the eventual winning run in the bottom of the first inning as Cathcart hit a two-out home run to right field.
Seattle then tacked on eight more runs in the second with four separate Redhawks collecting run-scoring hits. Seattle finalized the scoring with a six-run third inning, highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of starting pitcher Carley Nance.
Offensively, Cal Poly was held to two hits and without a baserunner past first through the opening three innings. In the fourth, senior catcher Makenna Young reached on a fielder’s choice before junior first baseman Hailey Martin produced a one-out single. Kaiser, however, lined into a double play to end the threat.
The Mustangs were then retired in order in the top of the fifth to close the run-rule decision.
Cal Poly (6-23) completes Big West Conference preparations with a 3 p.m. matchup at No. 7 Washington on Wednesday, March 27. Action will be televised via Pac-12 Networks.
–Provided by Cal Poly
