Box Score Feb. 6, 2009
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Cathedral City, Calif. - On the opening day of their 25th varsity season, the Fordham softball team made the day a memorable one at the Cathedral City Kickoff in California, as they rallied for four home runs in a 9-8 win over Cal State Northridge, while also upsetting #12/14 Fresno State, 5-2, for the program's first ever win over a ranked opponent. The Rams are 2-0 for only the second time in program history, joining the 1998 team, which opened at 3-0.
In an eventful first game, Jessica Weckenman drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh to cap an explosive 9-8 win over Cal State Northridge.
The Rams jumped out to a 7-0 lead through five innings, scoring two runs in the second, four in the fourth, and one in the fifth.
With two outs in the second inning, Erin Fisher doubled down the left field, followed by a hit by pitch to Beckah Wiggins. Jessica Weckenman then ripped a two-run double to right center for the early lead.
In the fourth, Samantha Pellechio opened the frame with a walk and was pinch run for by Jessica Richards. After a single by Mary Beth Puccio moved Richards to second, Fisher crushed a three-run home run to left, her first of the season. The Rams then went back-to-back, as Wiggins cranked out a solo home run to straight away centerfield, the first of her career.
Not to be left out of the home run mix, Jocelyn Dearborn made it a 7-0 game with a solo shot to left center.
The Matadors however would claw their way back with four runs in the sixth and seventh innings to grab an 8-7 lead, highlighted by a two-run double by Alexandria Alvarado, which tied the game, and the go-ahead RBI-single by Christina Saenz.
The Rams however would not go away quietly, as Pellechio led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to left to tie the game at eight. After a lineout, Fisher hit a line drive to left, that Hannah Fraijo could not catch, allowing Fisher to reach second. After a walk to Wiggins, the runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Weckenman then singled down the line to score Fisher for the win.
Beckah Wiggins (1-0) recorded the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts, while helping her own cause with a home run and two runs scored at the plate. Erin Fisher finished 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored, and three RBI, while Jessica Weckenman was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
In game two, Fordham grabbed the early lead on the Bulldogs in the second inning, as Pellechio opened the frame with a walk. After a fielder's choice and an out left Puccio at second with two outs, Weckenman doubled to center for the first run of the game.
After Fresno State tied the game on an RBI-single by Caitlin Stiglich, the Rams regained the lead, scoring twice in the third inning. With two outs, Lindsey Bright reached on an infield single and moved to second on a single by Dearborn. Pellechio then ripped a two-run double to left center for a 3-1 lead.
Fresno State pulled back within one, 3-2, in the fourth with an unearned run, but Fordham continued to put pressure on the Bulldogs, scoring twice in the sixth for a 5-2 edge. Bright opened the frame with a single, and one out later, came home on Pellechio's second home run of the day, which cleared the centerfield fence easily.
Jen Mineau (1-0) then got the final three outs of the game to give Fordham their first ever win over a ranked opponent in their 25-year history. Mineau was strong throughout the contest, recording her first complete game victory, while allowing just one earned run with five strikeouts. At the plate, Pellechio finished 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBI, while Bright was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
The Fordham softball team will continue play at the Cathedral City Kickoff on Saturday, February 7th, as they meet Boise State at 6:30 PM (EST) and UC-Davis at 9:00 PM (EST).
