Central Coast rival UC Santa Barbara snapped Cal Poly softball’s eight-game win streak, but only after the Mustangs won both halves of a Saturday doubleheader to clinch the series win at the Gauchos’ Campus Diamond.
Cal Poly (24-20, 8-4) won games one and two 6-2 and 6-4 and were tied at three before allowing six Gaucho runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday.
Robyn Kontra had a dominant weekend for the Mustangs. The sophomore pitcher pitched all seven innings in game one for the win, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks, then relieved Jenna Maiden to pitch a shutout in the final three innings of game two.
Melissa Pura was the offensive leader in game one with two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored. Pura hit her 10th home run of the year. Sarah Iwata also chipped in with a pair of hits.
Pura’s homer in the first inning gave the Mustangs an early lead as the Mustangs held on for the win.
In game two, Maiden had a slow start on the mound in what would become a rough weekend for the freshman pitcher. Maiden pitched four innings, allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits and two walks.
With the game knotted at four in the top of the sixth inning, three Gaucho errors allowed Cal Poly to score a pair of runs and take the lead for good.
Chelsea Green was the offensive standout for Cal Poly in game two. The senior outfielder had three hits and three RBIs. Both Green and Pura hit home runs in the game.
The win extended Cal Poly’s win streak to eight games, but less than 24 hours later, the Gauchos would salvage the weekend.
Emily Hively started for Cal Poly at pitcher, but only lasted 3.2 innings. She gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits and three walks. Maiden pitched the final 2.1 innings, giving up six runs, five earned, on six hits and one walk.
The Gauchos (20-18, 4-8) exploded for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, three of which came on a home run by Kendra Singley.
Cal Poly rallied for two with the game on the line in the next half inning, but it wasn’t enough.
The Mustangs return to action this weekend in a key Big West match-up with first place Cal State Fullerton.