The Cal Poly softball team (10-34, 6-12 Big West) won its first Big West series since the conference opener, with a 6-2 victory over UC Davis Sunday.
The team was led on the mound by sophomore Rebecca Patton, who gave up three earned runs in two complete games. Senior Anna Cahn continued to lead the team offensively, going 4 for 8 in the series with two home runs and six RBIs.
Patton took the mound in game one of a double header against UC Davis, scattering eight hits, and giving up just two runs in a complete game.
UC Davis was first to get on the board in the bottom of the second, hitting three consecutive two-out singles and putting the Aggies up 1-0.
They would not enjoy their lead for long, as Cahn earned a bases-loaded walk to bring in the tying run in the top of the thrid inning.
Cal Poly took the lead in the fourth after third baseman Mariah Cochiolo was hit by pitcher Alex Holmes. Second baseman Ashley Romano then drove a pitch into right field, which was mishandled by Kylie Fan, allowing Cochiolo to score. A groundout by center fielder Whitley Gerhart brought in Romano and Cal Poly took a 3-1 lead.
The lead would be enough to secure a 5-2 victory for Cal Poly in game one.
But the Aggies came storming back in game two, earning 10 hits for the seventh time this season.
Cahn took the mound, giving up seven runs, three unearned, in 4 1/3 innings. Five of the nine runs given up by Cal Poly were unearned as the field committed four errors.
Cal Poly’s only run in the 9-1 loss, came from Cahn, who earned her 13th home run of the season.
Sunday, Patton returned to the mound for another complete game, giving up just five hits while striking out five batters.
This time it was the Mustangs who scored first, knocking in runs in the second inning for an early 3-0 lead.
Cahn started the inning off with a full-count single up the middle. After Walker came in to pinch run for Cahn, Patton laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Walker to second. Nicole Lund reached first on an error by UC Davis shortstop Santana Elizabeth, sending Walker home and putting the Mustangs up 1-0.
Gerhart would extend the Mustangs lead with a triple to right center, bringing in Lund. Gerhart scored the third and final run of the inning on a wild pitch from Holmes.
UC Davis would come back to within striking distance of Cal Poly, notching solo runs in the second and third innings to make the game 3-2.
The next three innings would remain scoreless until Cal Poly broke it open in the seventh.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Romano and catcher Stephanie Correia hit back-to-back singles, before Cahn crushed a three-run home run to right field off the LaRue Field scoreboard.
The home run was Cahn’s 14th of the season. She currently leads all Big West players with a .723 slugging percentage and in home runs.
The series win was the first for the Mustangs since their Big West opener against last place UC Riverside on April 2 and 3.
The team will finish out its last series of the season at home versus Big West opponent Pacific. The series will open up with a double-header starting Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m.
Cahn and Correia, the team’s two seniors, will be honored during Senior Day on Sunday.