Cougar Softball Turns It Around on Day Two of So-Cal Smash
February 23, 2007

Complete Box Scores »» vs. Southern Oregon     vs. Cal Baptist

After a rough day one, Cougar softball rebounded nicely on the second day of the So-Cal Smash. In the morning, the squad won its second game of the season, defeating Southern Oregon in a 5-4 nailbiter. In the afternoon, the Cougars lost just 1-0 to #1 Cal Baptist.

CSUSM softball is now 2-11 on the season, but the young squad has already demonstrated great resiliency in being able to bounce back from tough losses.

That resiliency was tested against Southern Oregon, as the Cougars fell down 3-0 early. Southern Oregon got to Cougar starter Melissa Lerno early, with a one-out two-run homer in the first by their shortstop Alvarez. After CSUSM went down in order in the bottom of the first, Southern Oregon loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second, knocking Lerno out of the game. At this point, it looked like it would be another tough day for the Cougars.

But Coach Jen Milo's team proved otherwise. Erica Coelho, who's had a difficult start to the year, was brought to the pressure-packed situation to pitch, and she delivered. Coelho allowed just one run off a sac fly, and induced a groundout from Alvarez to get out of the inning.

That seemed to be the spark the Cougars needed. After Coelho pitched a scoreless third, it was CSUSM's turn to get on the board. Leilani Madrigal reached on an error, and made it to third after a wild pitch and a groundout. Danielle Tucker executed a suicide squeeze, and as a bonus, beat the throw to first. Following a Lerno single up the middle and an out, the Cougars had runners on second and third with two outs, and Amanda Sanchez at the plate. Sanchez came through with a double to right center, plating both runs and tying the game at 3.

Coelho worked out a jam in the 5th to once again post a scoreless inning, and the Cougars would immediately capitalize. Lerno got the rally started with a single, then advanced to second on a wild pitch, and stole third. Amanda Sanchez delivered yet again, singling to centerfield to give the Cougars the 4-3 lead. Later in the inning, she would be brought in by another single up the middle, this time courtesty of Holly Russell.

Despite earning the lead, the game was far from over for the Cougars. A leadoff double greeted Coelho in the 6th, and a bunt single and walk loaded the bases with one out. With the tying run on base, Sanchez, who has been so clutch at the plate the last two days, was asked to duplicate that success on the mound - and she did. Sanchez struck out the first batter she faced, and after a walk brought in a run, induced a pop-out to get out of the inning.

The Cougars left the bases loaded in the 6th, giving Southern Oregon a chance to tie it up in the 7th down just 6-5. But Lerno would come back in to pitch, and she mowed down the opposition in order to secure what was a true team victory for CSUSM.

CSUSM had little time to celebrate though, as #1 Cal Baptist was up next. The Lancers easily defeated CSUSM 14-8 yesterday, and the top-ranked team in the NAIA has not lost in the tournament.

But the Cougars were up to the challenge, taking the Lancers down to the wire. The game was a pitchers' duel in every sense, with Lerno shaking off her rough beginning to the first game to pitch a gem. Lerno allowed just four hits over the full 7 innings of work.

Unfortunately for Cougar fans, the squad ran into Cal Baptist ace Amy Thomas. Thomas dominated the Cougar lineup, throwing a no-hitter and striking out 7. Two walks was all the Cougar offense had to show for the game.

The lone run of the game came in the third inning. With two outs and a runner on second, Chantal Millard doubled to right-center to plate Kelly Maconachy, who had walked.

While there's no such thing as a "good loss," Lerno's performance is excellent news for the Cougars, especially after yesterday's blowout loss to the same Cal Baptist squad. The Cougars have one more day of games at the So-Cal Smash before heading home.