Crouch Powers Stanford Past Fullerton in Softball Sweep

Marcy Crouch, the former Marina High Standout, had an impressive day in leading Stanford to a doubleheader sweep of Cal State Fullerton in nonconference softball play Sunday at Fullerton.

Crouch, a sophomore, had a first-inning grand slam and Stanford (2-2) went on to win the first game, 11-6.

Crouch came back to pitch a three-hitter and gave up only one unearned run as the Cardinal won the second game, 14-1. The second game called after six innings because of the mercy rule.

The second game was tight, with Stanford holding a 2-1 lead through three innings, but the Cardinal got five runs in the fourth and seven in the sixth.

Crouch finished the doubleheader with two hits, four runs batted in, and four runs scored.

Nikkie Hart and Wendi Griffin had two hits and each drove in a run for Fullerton in the first game, which was close until Stanford scored three times in the seventh to open an 11-6 lead.

Stanford (2-2) had 28 hits, 14 in each game and Fullerton got 11. Fullerton, which started the season ranked 12th, will play at the Arizona State tournament starting Friday.

In Big West Conference women’s basketball:

Cal State Fullerton 82, North Texas 61--Visiting Cal State Fullerton led, 35-31, at the half, then shot 68% (15 of 22) in the second half to pull away.

Guard Kristen Sigg made 10 of 16 shots from the field and finished with a game-high 26 for Fullerton.

Andrea Thieme had 18 points and Dee Braxton had eight points and 10 rebounds for the Titans, who shot 48% (29 of 61) for the game.

Ashley Norris scored 22 points for North Texas (3-18, 0-9), which shot 28% (18 of 65) in the game.

New Mexico State 62, UC Irvine 59--Wendy Ray had two key baskets late in the game for host New Mexico State, which won its seventh consecutive home game against UC Irvine (11-10, 6-4).

UC Irvine last won in Las Cruces on Nov. 30, 1985.

Ray made a short jumper to put New Mexico State ahead, 58-57, with 1 minute 10 seconds left. New Mexico State’s Rebecca Fresquez then had a steal and passed to Ray, a forward, for another short jumper and a 60-57 lead.

Ray finished with a team-high 14 points.

Megan Stafford scored 19 points and Leticia Oseguera added 17 points and 10 rebounds for UC Irvine, which led at the half, 24-20.

In Pacific 10 wrestling:

Stanford 34, Cal State Fullerton 11--Things started well as Orlando deCastroverde won a 13-2 decision at 118 pounds for host Cal State Fullerton (0-7, 0-3).

But the Titans won only two of the nine matches, including forfeiting the final two because of injuries.

The victories were by Mauricio Mora who won, 13-5, at 134 pounds and Carl Sharamitaro who won, 7-4, at 150 for Fullerton.