Saturday Split: Softball Wins One, Loses One Against Hope International
March 24, 2007

Complete Box Scores »» Game 1   Game 2

It was an up and down day for Cougar softball, as the squad split a double-header against Hope International. CSUSM easily won game one 8-2, but couldn't complete the sweep, falling 7-5 in game two.

Cougar softball is now 6-18 on the year, while Hope is 7-19. On the field, the teams were about as evenly-matched as their records would indicate, with the notable exception of Cougar ace Melissa Lerno. The sophomore was dominant on the day, throwing a gem in game one before coming on in relief in game two and keeping the Cougars in it. In total, she threw 11 innings on the day, striking out an eye-opening 16, while allowing just 3 unearned runs.

In the first game, CSUSM jumped out to an early lead off Hope starter Kelsea Mauerhan. With two outs in the second, Cougar shortstop Holly Russell stepped to the plate and blasted a ball to the base of the left field wall. Even with the enormous dimensions of the field at Mission Hills (250 feet to the fence), the ball just missed going out; but Russell hustled around the bases for a home run anyway. She's been swinging the bat well in recent games, tallying an extra base hit in 3 of her last 6.

CSUSM would tack on two more runs in the third. Lindsey Preovolos got things started with a single to right, and an error and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Danielle Tucker drew a walk to plate the first run, and another run came across on a bizarre double play on an Elizabeth Bush pop-up.

Preovolos would once again key a Cougar rally in the fourth, as she crushed an RBI triple to left, then made it home when the catcher couldn't handle the throw. While she is usually an emotional leader for the team, Preovolos led in this game with her bat, going 2-for-2 with 3 runs scored and an RBI.

On the mound, Lerno was dazzling, recording the first 6 outs via strikeout. Few Hope International hitters could catch up to her fastball, and she controlled her off-speed stuff better than usual. In going the full 7 innings, Lerno allowed just three hits, and struck out a season-high 11. Hope's two runs came when the game was already in-hand in the 6th, when a Cougar outfielder misplayed a ball and allowed both to score.

Game two would tell a different tale, however. Cougar starter Erica Coelho struggled mightily with her control, and Hope made her pay for it.

Two first inning walks would come in to score when Danielle Marinacci sliced a triple to left field. In the following inning, three more runs would cross the plate, though Coelho was able to get out a two-on one-out jam to limit the damage.

The Cougars came roaring back however, staging a 4-run rally in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 5-4. Tasha Stokes and Amanda Sanchez led off the inning with back-to-back singles, and after an out, Preovolos walked to load the bases. Samantha Valenzuela then drew a walk herself to push across the first run, and Leilani Madrigal grounded out to bring in the second. That put two on and two outs for Coelho, who helped her own cause with a single up the middle, knocking both in.

After Coelho escaped the third with no runs, she would walk the leadoff hitter in the 4th and give way to Lerno. It wasn't smooth sailing like game one, however, as Lerno was greeted with a Lisa Teberg triple to left. A passed ball then allowed Teberg to cross the plate, making the game 7-4.

CSUSM would miss a golden opportunity to answer in the 4th. With one out, Preovolos was hit by a pitch and Lerno singled to put runners on. After the second out was made, an error by the shortstop prolonged the inning and allowed Preovolos to cross the plate. Danielle Tucker was then hit by a pitch, putting the Cougars' best hitter Elizabeth Bush at the plate with the bases loaded. But Bush would pop up to third, and the game would remain 7-5 - which is how it would end.

Hope starter Stacy Schofield gave a gritty effort in going the distance for the win. Despite allowing the 5 runs (4 earned), she gave up just four hits, while walking three. Cougar hitters often helped her out, swinging at balls that appeared off the plate.

The scariest moment of the game came in the 4th. After Melissa Lerno reached on a single, a pickoff attempt resulted in the Hope first baseman accidentally stepping on Lerno's right arm. The trainer had to come out, but Lerno would tough it out, staying in the game both as a runner and as the team's pitcher. From the 5th inning on, she would allow no runs, two hits, and strike out four.

But it wasn't enough, as the Cougars went down without a late rally to fall to 6-18 on the year. The squad will travel to take on Azusa Pacific on Tuesday, and next Saturday will be back at home to face Biola.