COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Cal Defeats Northridge Twice in Softball

All-American pitcher Michele Granger led California to a softball doubleheader sweep of visiting Cal State Northridge on Thursday.

Granger threw a complete game in the first game in Cal’s 3-0 win and earned the save in her team’s 1-0 victory in the second game.

Granger (33-8), a sophomore left-hander who was considered the top recruit in the country coming out of Placentia Valencia High, allowed three hits, struck out six and walked one in the first game.

Beth Calcante, Kim Oakes and Denise Swank each singled for Northridge. Heather Lindstrom (15-10) allowed only two earned runs but took the loss.

Cal (48-18), ranked sixth in the nation, scored in the third inning when Keri Kropke doubled and scored from third base on an error. Kropke led off the sixth with a single, stole second and scored on Christy Calderon’s triple. Calderon scored the final run of the game on Lidia Stiglich’s single.

In the second game, Cal scored in the first inning. With one out, Val Altamirano walked, went to second on Kropke’s single and scored on an error.

Northridge’s Cami Allen (12-15) was the hard-luck loser. She allowed only five hits, struck out three and walked two. Calcante singled in the first inning for one of Northridge’s two hits.

The Matadors (33-31) threatened in the fourth when Danielle Wood singled and advanced to third on a fly ball and a fielder’s choice. Swank, however, struck out to end the inning.

Patti Pearson led off the Northridge fifth with a walk and reached second on a passed ball. Three consecutive outs left her stranded. Robyn Burgess (15-10) picked up the win, and Granger entered in the fifth to earn her third save.

Northridge will conclude its season today with a doubleheader at Pacific.

GOLF

NAIA District 3 championships--Brodie Munro shot a 36-hole total of 148, six over par, to win medalist honors and help Cal Lutheran (628) finish second behind Point Loma (615) at Sunset Hills golf course in Thousand Oaks. Munro, who had rounds of 72 and 76, finished two strokes ahead of Point Loma’s Rusty Fallin.