Cal Poly Softball reclaimed third place in the Big West Conference over the weekend with a three-game sweep against UC Davis behind three complete games from their pitchers.
The Mustangs (25-17, 15-8) only allowed two runs to the Aggies (18-29, 9-15 Big West), marking the first time since 2009 that Cal Poly has swept them.
The bounce-back sweep was much needed for the Mustangs, who dropped five out of their last six games and fell to fourth place behind Hawaii coming into the series.
Sophomore right-hander Sophia Ramuno had an impressive weekend, allowing just five hits over two complete game shutouts.
In between both of those was another complete game from junior righthander Paige Maier in game No. 2, the second of Friday’s doubleheader.
Ramuno goes the distance in the circle
The Mustangs only needed one run in the opening game of their series as Ramuno threw a seven-inning complete game shutout leading them to a 1-0 victory over the Aggies.
This win marked No. 23 for the Mustangs this year, clinching a winning regular season record for the first time since 2017 when they went 38-21.
Ramuno only allowed two hits in this game while striking out five.
After being named to the Big West All-Freshman team last year, Ramuno has proved to be one of the best pitchers in the conference this season.
She’s been the game No. 1 and game No. 3 starter for the Mustangs in every conference series thus far, and she’s built upon her impressive freshman season by having an even more dominant sophomore campaign.
After her two complete games this weekend, she’s reached ten on the season.
The team has had their struggles cashing in with runners on base as they stranded three runners in scoring position over the second and third innings.
The game’s lone run came in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior centerfielder Jessica Clements doubled down the left field line to score senior first baseman Kai Barrett.
Clements now holds the second-highest batting average in all of Division I softball with a .467 mark, sitting just 11 points behind Howard’s Maryn Jordan who holds a .476 average.
With only three games left in the regular season, the Mustangs’ star hitter will look to climb Jordan for the highest batting average in the country next weekend against UC San Diego.
Maier throws third complete game of season
Maier took the circle in the game No. 2 on Friday and threw all seven innings against the Aggies in a 4-2 win to secure the series victory.
After a one-out double in the second inning, Maier shut down ten straight Davis hitters. She struck out four and didn’t allow a single walk, retiring the side in order in the seventh inning to finish the complete game with no trouble.
This marks her third complete game of the season, with the previous two coming in non-conference games. She now holds a 3.77 earned run average (ERA), the lowest of her three years as a Mustang.
Highlighting the run support in this game was a team-leading fifth home run from Clements, who belted a solo shot over the right-field wall to lead off the fourth inning.
Barrett also came through in the second inning, ripping a ball to short with runners on second and third that was mishandled and allowed both runs to score, counting as two RBIs for her.
With only three hits to show for in the entire game, the Mustangs’ did just enough to provide Maier with run support in one of her best outings of the season. The Aggies had one more hit than the Mustangs, but Maier shut them down when it mattered.
The Mustangs finish the sweep
Cal Poly Softball completed a three-game sweep of UC Davis with a 1-0 win on Saturday, May 4.
Ramuno took the circle for the Mustangs and tossed her second complete-game shutout of the series, only allowing three hits.
The Mustangs only mustered three hits themselves, but a first-inning run courtesy of junior catcher Julia Barnett’s RBI single was all the offense needed.
Ramuno has been the go-to pitcher all year long for head coach Jenny Condon and with her four strikeouts on Saturday, she reclaimed third place on the Big West strikeout leaderboard.
The Mustangs have just one series left to play and sit firmly in third place in the Big West standings. Despite not winning the Big West this season, the program notched its first winning season since 2017.
Cal Poly will look to end their season positively, with their final series against UC San Diego beginning on Friday, May 10 at Triton Softball Field in La Jolla, CA.