For the third straight day Simon Fraser University split a pair of games at the Desert Stinger tournament, losing 16-3 to Cal State San Marcos and then coming back to win the night cap 7-3 over New Mexico Highlands at Majestic Park in Las Vegas last Sunday.
If Clan head coach Mike Renney learned anything about his team through its recent 12-game road trip it is that he has a resilient group. That is the identity that the Clan has forged for itself after returning from Hawaii and Las Vegas with a 7-5 record.
“I am really pleased to be returning home with a winning record,” said Renney in a prepared press release. “This team is a more battle-tested group than last year’s team, and although we are still young, it’s a competitive and driven bunch.
“We did not take it on the chin and fold. We competed hard and we are very resilient.”
After losing its first two games to start the season, Simon Fraser peeled off four straight victories. At the Desert Stinger, the Clan lost its first game each day and then rebounded to take the latter matchup.
Now SFU returns home to prepare for its home opener on Feb. 24 against the University of British Columbia at Beedie Field on campus. Season tickets are available now for $50, almost 40 per cent off the regular price. Season tickets can be reserved by emailing [email protected] or calling 778-782-4056.
In Game 1 on Sunday, SFU was leading 2-1 after four innings with freshman Alia Stachoski scattering five hits. But CSU San Marcos singled and got a two-run home run to start the fifth, chasing Stachoski and igniting a 15-run rally over two innings. CSU San Marcos scored four runs on three hits in the top of the fifth and followed that with 11 runs on four hits in the sixth to secure the win.
Stachoski went four innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs before giving way to junior Jessica Goulet, who gave up seven runs on three hits in one inning of work. Freshman walkon Meghan Malkowich finished the game giving up the final five runs.
“This game was a chance for us to get some of our young pitchers some extra work and I wanted to let them try to dig themselves out of trouble,” said Renney.
SFU was held to three runs on seven hits, led by freshman Taylor Gillis, who went 2-for-2 with a double.
In the nightcap, the Clan broke open a 1-1 tie with two runs on three hits in the third and four runs on three hits in the fourth to defeat New Mexico Highlands.
Sophomore Stefanie Sheard went 2-for-4 and freshman Katherine Murnaghan went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI to lead the Clan.
Stachoski went the distance, giving up three runs on seven hits, while striking out three.
“Alia pitched a full game with a freshman catcher and that was a statement,” said Renney. “We had four freshmen on the field and they all have earned their playing time. We are starting to see players settle into roles and that was one of the objectives of this trip.”
