SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Dominican women's softball made a quick turn-around after a road trip to Hawai'i to face Sonoma State University Thursday afternoon but lost 7-3 and 4-0 in the doubleheader at Penguin Field.
Junior infielder
Mady Christensen remained a bright spot for the Penguins (5-16, 4-14 PacWest) as she went 2-for-4 in the first game with two home runs and three RBI, and then extended her on-base streak to 11 games with a walk in the second game. Junior outfielder
McKenzie Schumacher added a 3-for-6 day at the plate to go with a run and a stolen base.
Starting pitcher Brielle Vidmar led the Seawolves (15-9, 11-6 CCAA) to the victory in the first game, striking out six batters and allowing three runs in a complete game. Camille Rodriguez earned the win from the circle in the second game with a complete-game shutout. Jordann White powered the offense with a 4-for-8 day, including two home runs and three RBI. Briana Avalos added a 3-for-5 performance with three RBI.
Game One
Sonoma State put two runners on base in the top of the first to apply pressure early, but sophomore
Alyssa Ramirez made a phenomenal diving play at third base to get up and rocketed a ball to senior
Haley Cheek at first for the final out of the frame. The Penguins carried that momentum into the bottom half of the inning as Christensen raked a ball low in the zone over the left field fence for a lead-off home run. Ramirez and freshman
Peyton Mott each added singles to put two runners on with one out, but Dominican was unable to cash in on the opportunity.
The lead would be short-lived as Jordan White led off the top of the second with a solo shot to left center to even the score. In the top of the third, Julie Davis gave the Seawolves an opportunity to advance ahead of the Penguins as she singled, and quickly made her move around the bases, stealing second and third. Cameron Kirtlan hit a grounder to Cheek, and strategically led Cheek to chase her down the first baseline to allow Davis to score. SSU continued to add to its lead with the help of another lead-off home run from White in the top of the fourth to make it 3-1 lead.
The Penguins struck back in the bottom half of the inning as
Karitza Reyes doubled to left field to get Dominican's offense back in the game. Schumacher laid down a sacrifice bunt that sent Reyes to third with Christensen walking to the box. Christensen hammered a line drive straight to Courtney Jack at third who reacted just in time to find the ball in her glove for the second out of the inning and the Seawolves escaped the threat.
In the top of the sixth, a muffed catch from Cheek and fielder's choice left Lindsey Calcany Blair and Cassidy Romano on. With two outs, Avalos drilled a 3-run home run to left center to make it 6-1. Schumacher singled to center to start a two-out rally in the bottom of the frame, and Christensen knocked out her second home run of the game to cut the deficit to three. It was as close as the Penguins would get.
Game Two
Both programs remained scoreless until the top of the third inning when Jack and Avalos led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Balanon kept the momentum rolling with a hard-hit liner through the infield to bring home Jack for the 1-0 advantage.
The Seawolves extended their lead in the top of the fourth as White and Calcany Blair each singled and Bella Chadwell was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Romano. Romano hit into a fielder's choice that took Ramirez to third, allowing White to come in for the 2-0 lead.
Avalos singled to lead-off the fifth inning and Balanon hit a towering home run over the center-field fence on the first pitch of the next at-bat to extend Sonoma State's lead to 4-0.
Dominican will have a week of rest before heading down to Turlock, California, for the Tournament of Champions, hosted by Stanislaus State. The Penguins will take on CSU Dominguez Hills in their first game of the tournament Friday, March 29, at 3 p.m. PST. Live stats will be available online.
