MORGAN HALL
LAYOUT ASSISTANT
Recently ranked #4 by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Cal State San Marcos women’s softball team was ready to give it their all and grab two wins during a double header vs. the 12th-ranked Columbia College Cougars.
Shortstop, Shanti Poston, made the first official big play of the game by tagging the Columbia runner and closing out the top of the 1st inning. At the top of the 2nd, Columbia scored 3rd consecutive runs on one hit due to a few small errors and a wild throw to the catcher, placing the San Marcos Cougars down by three early in the game.
By the beginning of the 3rd, San Marcos began to find their groove defensively by only allowing one hit for the remainder of the game. Midway through the 3rd, pitcher Brenna Sandberg began, as head coach Dave Williams said, “to shake the rust off” after nearly 12 days without playing a single game. Sandberg ended the first game by striking out 9 Columbia College batters.
As the remaining innings began to pass by, the fans, players, and even coaches feared a loss. At the bottom of the 7th and final inning, the CSUSM softball team knew here would be its last chance to shake things up and get 3 runs to tie or 4 runs to win.
Derrisha Lacey stepped up to the plate, hit the ball just out of the reach of the third baseman, and advanced to first. Alicia Ingram hit an infield single, allowing Lacey to advance. Quick thinking and speed let Lacey steal third and Ingram steal second before the third batter even hit. Hit in the shoulder by a pitch Alex Miller allowed the next batter, Alyssa Dronenburg, to deliver a clean RBI single to center field, bringing in Lacey and cutting the lead to 3-1. With the winning run on base, Poston smacked the ball to center earning a base hit. Due to Poston’s hit, the centerfielder dropped the ball and allowed pinch runner Brittney Guy to beat the throw and allow CSUSM to come away with an exciting 4-3 victory.
“This game had a very close ending,” Coach Williams said. “I wish we would have scored earlier but at least we came away with the win.”
With less than an hour between the first and second game, the CSUSM softball team had to essentially replay the game they just finished. This game had CSUSM players, coaches and fans fuming at the umpires over several missed calls. Coaches and fans were shouting across the field, “Come on, ump,” or “What game were you watching?” and the ever popular, “Are you kidding me? You could see that strike from space!” Yet, the game went on, tied 1-1.
Even with the umpires apparently losing the game for San Marcos, neither team scored another run until the 7th inning. Unfortunately, Columbia College scored 2 additional runs while CSUSM was not able to pull off the same amazing victory, dropping the second game 3-1.
Photos courtesy of Morgan Hall