TURLOCK, Calif. — The Dominican University of California softball team looked to get back on track early sloppy defense resulted in an 11-3 loss to No. 21-ranked Sonoma State on Sunday in the Platinum Bracket of the Tournament of Champions.

Ashlyn Moriarity, who went 3-for-3, collected three of the Penguins' five hits. She led off the top of the second with a double and advanced to third on Marisa Cordisco's sacrifice bunt. Kayla Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, then stole second. The pickoff throw sailed into right centerfield, which allowed Moriarity to score easily and Rodriguez was able to come home all the way from second.

A defensive collapse in the bottom of the third kept the inning alive for the Seawolves, who took advantage and the lead. Two batters reached on infield errors and a single back to pitcher Katelyn Harden resulted in a bases-loaded situation for designated player Carlie Daniel. Daniel's sac fly cut the lead to 2-1 and a wild pitch with two outs tied the game at 2-2. Alison Strycula homered on a full-count pitch to turn the tables and give SSU a 4-2 lead. The Penguins could have been out of the inning if not for the two errors, plus a failed rundown that saw runners advance 90 feet.


Moriarity led off the fourth with a solo homer to center field to cut the lead to 4-3. The Penguins loaded the bases with two outs when Leslie Mesa was hit on the wrist but Katelyn Harden struck out to end the innign and was unable to help her cause in the circle.

SSU scored two more runs in the bottom half of the inning to extend the lead to 6-3 and a forgettable fifth inning for Dominican that included three more errors saw the Seawolves cut the contest short with five runs on three hits.

Dominican returns to PacWest Conference play on Tuesday, March 31 with a doubleheader versus Chaminade. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. at Penguin Field. Live stats will be available at dominicanathletics.com/live.