Titans Hang On, Beat Hawaii in Softball

Jodie Cox took a one-hit shutout into the seventh inning, but needed help from reliever Christy Robitaille to secure the victory for ninth-ranked Cal State Fullerton in a 3-2 decision over Hawaii in the first round of the Kia Softball Classic at Cal State Fullerton Wednesday.

The Titans had taken a 3-0 lead on two home runs, a bases-empty shot by Cox and a two-run home run by Monica Lucatero. But Cox allowed 22nd-ranked Hawaii to load the bases in the seventh on a walk, double and swinging bunt. She retired the next batter on a fielder’s choice as one run scored, then threw wildly to home, allowing the Rainbows to score a second time.

Robitaille entered the game and retired the next two batters on a liner and pop-up to record her fourth save and preserve the victory for Cox (10-0). Cox, Yasmin Mossadeghi and Amanda Hockett had two hits each for the Titans (23-2).

In nonconference softball:

Humboldt State 4-6, Concordia 0-1--The Lumberjacks, the defending NCAA Division II champions, got a two-hit performance from Jessame Kendall (9-0), who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of the first game. Pitcher Carrie Shankles (3-7) lost both games of the doubleheader but was also two for two with a run-scoring double in the nightcap. Humboldt State is 17-1; Concordia fell to 9-13.

Vanguard 2-0, Spring Hill (Ala.) 1-1--Gina Liebengood pitched a two-hitter and struck out 11 to push her record to 11-3 this season for Vanguard, which won the first game of the doubleheader. Val Vanaken drove in the winning run for Vanguard in the top of the seventh.

In the second game Alycia Atchley allowed only three hits but took the loss.

In Golden State Athletic Conference baseball:

Westmont 5-5, Concordia 1-1--Mike Murphy hit his fourth home run in four games to lead Westmont (10-17, 7-5) to a 5-1 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. In the second game, pitcher Anthony Agero recorded his second victory of the season, throwing a complete game for Westmont and allowing four hits and striking out seven batters.

In nonconference men’s tennis:

UC Irvine 5, Princeton 2--UCI swept all three doubles sets, led by the No. 1 team of Chris Chung and Chris Ma, who won their set, 8-2.

In nonconference women’s tennis:

UC Irvine 9, Yale 0--No. 1 Maureen Diaz won her fifth straight match, while No. 2 Jonni Seymour won her seventh consecutive match to lead host UCI (10-5) to the win.

Wyoming 6, Cal State Fullerton 3--After being swept in singles play, the Titans (4-9) rebounded to win all three doubles matches. Cal State Fullerton’s No. 1 team of Amy Medlin and Eleanor Luzano set the tone with an 8-2 victory.