Error-Prone Matadors Swept by Titans

One day after watching her Cal State Northridge softball team play an error-free doubleheader, Coach Janet Sherman realized that her fear regarding the Matadors’ young defense wasn’t unjustified. . . . It simply took a day for validation.

The Matadors committed seven errors Sunday, and 15th-ranked Cal State Fullerton swept 10th-ranked Northridge, 5-3 and 6-0, in a nonconference doubleheader.

“We’ve got some things to work on,” Sherman said.

While defense will be the top priority at workouts this week, the Matadors can also use extra batting practice. Northridge was outhit 16 to 8 by the Titans.

Northridge (2-2) scored its only runs of the day in the second inning of the first game. With bases loaded on two walks and a hit batter, Jen Richardson hit a fly deep into left-center field. Center fielder Beth Queypo ran it down, but the ball glanced off her glove and all three runners scored.

Fullerton (2-0) responded with three runs on three hits and an error in the third to tie it, 3-3.

The Titans added two runs in the fifth on two singles and two errors.

Senior right-hander Kathy Blake-Small (1-1) allowed nine hits, but only one earned run.

In the second game, freshman right-hander Christina Baioa made her collegiate debut and was perfect through the first four innings. But in the fifth, Baioa was tagged for four runs on four hits--including a two-run homer by Senetha Thomas and a two-run double by Heidi Robertson.

“I came down hard at the end,” Baioa said. “I just need to build my stamina.”

Said Sherman: “This was a learning weekend for us. Now we get two weeks to work out the kinks.”

Northridge is idle next week and will play in a tournament at San Diego State Feb. 17-19.