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Box Score 3 Turlock, CA - The Simon Fraser University softball team went 1-2 at the Mizuno Tournament of Champions on Saturday, defeating the hosts from Cal-State Stanislaus 8-6 to end the day after losing their opener to 16th ranked Sonoma State 6-0 and Notre Dame de Namur 1-0.
Cara Lukawesky (Coquitlam, BC) got the start in the first game of the day, going six and two thirds innings, allowing 10 hits and six runs, all earned against Sonoma State.
Mackenzie Bender (St. Albert, AB) came on in relief of Lukawesky with two outs in the seventh inning and two runners on, retiring the next batter to strand the two base runners.
Lukawesky and the Clan held top ranked team in their pool scoreless through the first five innings but Sonoma State was able to do the same to SFU.
In the sixth, Sonoma opened the scoring with two runs, and added four more in the seventh to take the win, handing the Clan their first loss of the tournament.
"We had a pitchers duel and were in it for the first five innings against Sonoma and then the wheels fell off," said Head Coach
Mike Renney. "We simply didn't perform well offensively and left our pitchers high and dry."
The Clan's second game of the day against the NDNU Argonauts turned out to be a pitchers duel as well as
Kelsie Hawkins (Victoria, BC) gave SFU six innings of work, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out seven.
SFU managed three hits against the Argonauts and could not push a run across.
Much like the first game of the day, both sides were held scoreless through the first five innings.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Hillary Uekawa was hit by a pitch to give NDNU a baserunner.
Uekawa then stole second and advanced to third on a ground out before scoring on a two out single, to give NDNU the slim 1-0 lead.
The Argonauts shut down the Clan in the top of the seventh to hold on to the win, dropping SFU's tournament record to 2-2.
"Against NDNU we underperformed. Our offence was no where to be found. Our pitcher turned in a great performance and did everything she could to help us win but our offence didn't score any runs to give us a chance," continued Renney.
SFU bounced back in their third game of the day, as Lukawesky was on the rubber once again to start the game, going three and a third against the host Cal State Stanislaus Warriors, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out two.
Hawkins relieved Lukawesky and threw three and two thirds innings in relief, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out two.
Alex Baylak (Regina, SK) went two for two for the Clan with two runs scored in the win while
Rosie Murphy (Markham, ON) went two for four with three runs batted in.
"We got back on track and jumped out to a big lead against Stanislaus. We just don't have that killer instinct right now and we let them back in the game but managed to hold on for the victory. It should have been over a lot earlier but we didn't finish the job," continued Renney.
SFU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Kaitlyn Cameron (Langley, BC) led off the game with a walk and
Danielle Raison (Langley, BC) followed with a walk of her own.
The two advanced to second and third on a sacrifice by Baylak. When
Rachel Proctor (Surrey, BC) reached base on a throwing error by the shortstop with two outs Cameron scored and then Raison crossed when Proctor stole second, forcing a throwing error by the catcher.
Murphy then cashed in Proctor with a single to left field.
The Clan added three runs in the third inning to take a 6-0 lead. Cal State Stanislaus attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth with five runs but the Clan added insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth and sixth to secure the win, and finish pool play with a 3-2 record.
"It was good to see a number of balls hit well in the last game of the day. If I was going to tip my hat to any component of our team in that game it would be the freshman who stepped up and won the game for us with their offence. We have a couple of veterans that are pressing right now and we need them to settle in and get back on track," finished Renney.
After Saturday's games, SFU's overall record for the 2013 season shifts to 19-16 and remains 11-4 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
With a 3-2 record in the Mizuno Tournament of Champions' pool E, the Clan will have to wait for the end of pool play on Saturday evening to find out their fate for Sunday's playoff brackets. Visit athletics.sfu.ca for the latest information.
