CLU Makes Home Debut Against Eagles

CUI's Jorgenson collects 10 RBI

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 5:00 pm

Release by Scott Chisholm (CLU Sports Information)

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Hutton Field was host to its first official Cal Lutheran softball contests of the season as the Regals hosted No. 8 Concordia-Irvine on Saturday. CLU dropped pair of games to the Eagles by 11-3 and 8-0 margins.

Box Score (Game One): CUI 11, CLU 3 - F
Box Score (Game Two): CUI 8, CLU 0 - F/5

Concordia-Irvine 11, Cal Lutheran 3 - F
The Eagles struck first when a wind-aided hit from Jenna Jorgenson found open space in left field for a one-out, two-run double. It would be the start of a big day for the sophomore as she went 3-for-3 with six runs batted in during Saturday's opener.

Her first of five base hits on the afternoon was also the first of several fly balls finding open space due to high wind conditions throughout.

Cal Lutheran responded immediately with a run-scoring double from senior Sara Lichtsinn in the first inning. Teammates Kayla Sakamoto and Danika Green provided RBI base hits of their own in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively. Lichtsinn and Brittany Labbe led the Regals with two hits apiece.

CLU starting pitcher Katelyn Downing went the distance for her second complete game in as many starts this season.

CUI's Jennifer Simons earned the win in her team's season opener allowing one run in five innings. She struck out six batters and threw 80 pitches for the victory. Teammate Morgan Reiter allowed two runs (one earned) over the final two innings to close out the game.

Concordia-Irvine 8, Cal Lutheran 0 - F/5
For the second straight game Jorgenson gave the Eagles the lead before the Regals came to the plate. She finished the day a combined 5-for-6 at the day with 10 runs batted in. A two-out rally capped off by her first inning RBI-double gave Concordia-Irvine the early advantage.

Cal Lutheran nearly responded again for the second straight game, but Kathleen Watson-Otani was thrown out at home attempting to score on Shannon Tinsley's two-out first inning single. Tinsley was responsible for both the Regals hits which included a leadoff double in the fourth.

The Eagles approach at the plate was to swing early and often against Regals starting pitcher Nicolby Attalah. The CLU newcomer held strong over the first two innings, but CUI broke through in the third for five runs off six hits.

Katie Carson and Shainna Groom each hit home runs and five of the team's six hits in the frame came within the first two pitches of the at bat. The Eagles continued that strategy into the following inning and added two more runs courtesy of a Jorgensen double.

Cal Lutheran (0-4) will begin conference play at home on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Noon against Redlands. The Bulldogs will host Concordia-Irvine tomorrow prior to playing the Regals.