CSUN Loses 2 to UCLA in Softball

While two losses might appear to be disastrous to most teams, Cal State Northridge’s softball team did not take its setbacks to UCLA too hard.

In their first games against an NCAA Division I opponent as a Division I independent, the host Matadors dropped both ends of a doubleheader to UCLA, 4-0 and 3-0, Wednesday. The second game was called after six innings because of darkness.

Heading into the matchup, Northridge softball Coach Gary Torgeson anticipated a tough assignment with the three-time defending NCAA champion Bruins.

“If we had beaten them, it would have been a feather in our cap,” Torgeson said. “They’re not in our way of going to the regional (playoffs). Other than not having a win today, I’m happy with our progress.”

The Matadors (1-3) showed defensive improvement, committing only one error the entire day after making three against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday.

In the first game, UCLA sophomore DeDe Weiman (1-0) gave up only two hits and struck out seven. Sophomore Lisa Fernandez (2-0) picked up the win in the second game, striking out seven, including five in a row.

UCLA’s Yvonne Gutierrez accounted for five runs, hitting two two-run homers in the first game and driving in another run with a single in the second game.

Northridge placed runners in scoring position only once in each game. Trailing, 2-0, CSUN threatened in the bottom of the third inning of the first game when Lani Artis reached base on an error and Lisa Ferracone walked with two out. But Patti Pearson flied out to end the threat.

UCLA’s Missy Phillips was injured in the third inning of the first game when she was caught stealing. She was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center and treated for a possible concussion and released.