Nick CamachoStellar pitching followed by an explosive hitting display carried the Cal Poly softball team to a doubleheader sweep of North Dakota on Monday afternoon at Bob Janssen Field.
In the opener, a 3-0 win, Mustangs freshman southpaw Anna Cahn earned the win by giving up just one hit and one walk to the Fighting Sioux (4-6) while striking out five batters in six innings.
Senior designated player Sarah Iwata was 2 for 3 with two RBI for Cal Poly (7-8), and junior centerfielder Jenna Maiden was also 2 for 3.
Later, the Mustangs scored all of their runs in the first inning of an 11-2, five-inning rout. Nine of their 11 hits also came in the opening frame, when North Dakota sophomore righthander Alicia Pearce surrendered seven earned runs.
Maiden chalked up the victory despite only clocking two innings of work. Sophomore lefthander Helen Peña came on to pitch the rest of the way, compiling six strikeouts.
Junior shortstop Melissa Pura was 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBI for Cal Poly, while freshman rightfielder Brandi Gutierrez was 2 for 2, and junior second baseman Stephanie Tam 2 for 3, respectively.
The Mustangs next travel to the Bulldog Classic at Fresno State, which they will face at 7 p.m. Friday. Saturday, Cal Poly will take on Houston at 1 p.m. and Rhode Island at 7 p.m. before challenging DePaul at 11 a.m. Sunday and then Santa Clara at 1 p.m.