CSUN Wins, Then Catches Rain : Softball: The Matadors defeat Fresno State, 3-1, and lead, 2-1, when the second game is canceled.

The goal of the Cal State Northridge softball team was to sweep rival Fresno State on the Bulldogs’ home turf in a Western Athletic Conference softball doubleheader Friday.

Northridge had never done that and with a two-game conference lead in its back pocket, this seemed the perfect time to flex some muscle against a Bulldog team that had been in a tailspin for more than a month.

After Northridge’s convincing 3-1 victory in the opener, the Matadors were clearly on their way.

However, so was the predicted rainstorm which finally arrived after three innings of the second game. Play was suspended with Northridge leading, 2-1.

“In my mind we did (sweep),” said catcher Scia Maumausolo, who went three for six with two doubles in 10 innings of play. “We did take both games and the scores show it.”

Games that last less than five innings are not considered complete. Coaches from both teams and conference officials discussed options to reschedule the suspended game, but no definite plans were agreed upon.

“We’ll make it up if we have to,” Northridge Coach Janet Sherman said. “I’m going on guesswork right now. So I just don’t know.”

But Northridge (38-14, 19-4 in conference play) still sits in the driver’s seat in WAC with a comfortable lead over second-place Utah (25-17, 16-6).

Meanwhile, Fresno State (43-16, 15-8), ranked No. 4 in the country, has dropped to fourth in the conference behind Cal State Sacramento.

Seventh-ranked Northridge, which has beaten the Bulldogs in three of four meetings this season, will be at No. 9 Sacramento (39-11, 17-7) today at 1 p.m.

“(Today) is a very important series,” Sherman said. “Sacramento is in our region and we have to beat them (to get a better seeding for playoffs).”

The Matadors, who have won 10 of their last 12, looked sharp against the Bulldogs, who are 12-11 since March 25.

Everything seems to be going in favor of the Matadors. That was clear in the top of the sixth when Fresno State Coach Margie Wright decided to intentionally walk Maumausolo, who has seen such walks on seven other occasions.

With one out and Jessica Cunningham on first, Maureen Brady’s 1-1 pitch to Maumausolo got away from catcher Amber Wall and Cunningham advanced to second. With Cunningham in scoring position, the Bulldogs weren’t going to give Maumausolo the chance to work her heroics.

Wall called for a pitchout on the next two ensuing pitches, but Brady’s second offering was within striking distance of Maumausolo’s powerful swing and the junior ripped a single into right field.

“I’ve been practicing that all week,” Maumausolo said. “Coach (Sherman) told me that I would probably see an intentional walk this weekend and that there would be someone in scoring position. It was there so I hit it.”

Although Sherman held Cunningham at third, it was the beginning of the end for Fresno State. Brady allowed run-scoring singles by Jen Richardson and Kelly Toovey (two for three) and coupled with two errors by third baseman Melissa Thatcher (Agoura High), the Matadors came away with a 3-0 lead.

Senior right-hander Kathy Blake-Small (20-7), who allowed eight hits, was tagged for an earned run in the bottom of the inning on three hits, including a run-scoring single by Jen Henry (Buena High).

Northridge scored two runs in the first inning of the second game on Maumausolo’s double and a sacrifice fly by Chelo Lopez.

Fresno State responded with a run in the first on another single by Henry.