Cal State Fullerton Falls to Texas on Sacrifice Fly in Seventh

Trisha Tatro’s sacrifice fly to deep right field drove in Marlo Hanks in the top of the seventh inning, giving Texas a 3-2 victory over Cal State Fullerton in a consolation game of the Kia Klassic at Titan Softball Complex on Saturday.

The ninth-ranked Titans finished 2-3 in the tournament and fell to 24-5 overall.

The Titans’ only rally was in the bottom of the sixth. Kristy Osborne singled, Gina Oaks hit a ground-rule double and Dara Marzolo reached first on an intentional walk to load the bases for Yasmin Mossadeghi

Mossadeghi reached base on an error by Texas second baseman Lindsay Gardner, who couldn’t get a firm grip on the slow roller, to bring in the Titans’ first run.

Monica Lucatero popped out, then Amanda Hockett hit a line drive to Keely Franks, who caught the ball for the out, but overthrew second, allowing the Titans to tie the score, 2-2.

Fullerton’s Oaks (8-1) pitched a three-hitter with five strikeouts and a walk. Charla Moore gave four hits in seven innings for Texas (1-4 in the Kia Klassic, 13-18-1 overall).

The Titans made three errors and Texas made four.

“We have not been able to close out a ballgame,” Texas Coach Connie Clark said. “We needed a win. Fullerton kept putting pressure on. We knew they weren’t going to die until it was over.”

The victory for Clark came against one of her former teammates. Clark was a pitcher on Fullerton’s 1986 national championship team. Her catcher was the Titans’ current interim head coach Michelle Gromacki.

The final of the Kia Klassic is scheduled for 2 p.m. today.

In the quarterfinal games:

Arizona 6, Northridge 0--Arizona plays Notre Dame today at 9 a.m. in a semifinal game. No. 1 Washington will play No. 12 Oregon State in the other semifinal game at 11 a.m.