The Comets faced No. 8 ranked California State University at San Marcos on Monday, February 21, 2011 and found themselves once again facing very stiff competition. In game one CSU-SM's ace pitcher Brenna Sandberg showed why she is one of the top strike-out pitchers in the country. Sandberg was able to get eight of the Comets out with just her arm alone.
“We knew going in that Sandberg had a tough rise ball that she used as her strike-out pitch. Between that pitch and her ability to locate well on the inside pitches we got caught looking and chasing a few more times than I would have liked," head coach Melissa Majerus said.
The Comets were once again hit by injury as starting pitcher VaLea Crowder left after facing just 2 batters in the first inning.
“It was the story of one bad inning again for us. After VaLea left, they rattled off five runs before we could stop them. Ashley did a good job for us after that first rough inning, but by then the damage was done,” Majerus said.
The Comets' offense was once again at a standstill as Sandberg allowed only one hit, a double in the second inning from
Angelique Macias.
In game two it was the Comets who jumped out with a quick run in the first inning. Leadoff hitter
Lyndsi Maglish walked and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Jessica Flores and advanced to third on a fielder's choice by
Elizabeth Best-Still. Cara Delgado came up with the big two-out double to score Maglish and give the Comets their first run of 2011.
CSU-SM took over where they left off with their hitting and pounded out 11 quick runs in the first and second innings. Sandberg was again in the circle for the Cougars and she quickly shut the door on the Comets' hopes of scoring by striking out the side in the second and adding one more to her total in the third.
“After the first inning it was tough going for us offensively," Majerus said. "We need to regroup again tonight and prepare ourselves for tomorrow. We have to have short memories, tomorrow's game is another huge game versus a very good team.”
