Cal Poly Softball’s losing trend continued over the weekend after being swept by University of Hawai’i in a three-game series.
These three losses extend the Mustangs’ losing streak to 11 games with an overall record of 10-33 and only four conference wins.
The series began with a double-header on Friday, and Cal Poly failed to muster any offensive momentum to start the trip. The Mustangs lost 8-0 in both games, and only tallied one hit each time.
Senior outfielder Kiara Blanchard and sophomore catcher Maya Venegas were credited with the Mustangs’ only hits.
Hawai’i is No. 2 in the Big West conference, and they proved their ranking on both sides of the ball. The Rainbow Wahine had their bats rolling from the start with runs scored in every inning besides the fourth in both games.
Two Hawai’i players, Millie Fidge and Cierra Yamamoto, were pivotal in the team’s offense as they combined for a total of eight hits and three runs.
On the defensive end, Hawai’i pitchers Taryn Irimata and Maryn Macneil both pitched a shutout, giving the Mustangs no room for scoring at the beginning of the series.
Mustangs fall short of comeback on Saturday
Despite losing the third game 3-2, Cal Poly shaped up their game on the getaway day matchup in the rainbow state. The Mustangs finished with four hits and only gave up six to the Rainbow Wahine, as opposed to their double-digit hit count in games one and two.
In the second inning, freshman pitcher Myleigh Cooper hit her third home run of the season, putting the Mustangs on the scoreboard ahead of the Rainbow Wahine.
Cooper has been a standout for the Mustangs throughout the year. She leads the team in home runs, batting average, slugging percentage and hits while making consistent appearances as a pitcher.
The Mustangs second run was credited to a fifth inning sacrifice fly hit by Blanchard, which brought home sophomore outfielder Maddy Bermudez.
The Rainbow Wahine tied the game in the fifth inning and outscored the Mustangs in the seventh with a bases loaded walk to bring in the game-deciding third run.
With the sweep, the Mustangs stand at No. 9 in the Big West standings with just one series remaining. They will face UC Davis, who is No. 4 in the Big West, starting on May 1 at Bob Janssen Field back home in San Luis Obispo.