Monterey Times

California State University, Monterey Bay recently issued the following announcement.

Otter pitching allows no earned runs in 9–0, 5–3 sweep

No. 14 Cal State Monterey Bay continued its run of early season road success with a 9–0, 5–3 sweep of Pac West Conference rival Academy of Art Wednesday afternoon at Mission Blue Field.

CSUMB improved to 10–3 overall with the wins.

The Otters got a 3–hit shutout from junior Cassie Gasper (Merced/Univ. of Missouri) in the opener. Senior Jensen Main (Stevenson School/Sac State) allowed three unearned runs but improved to 6–0 with a win in the nightcap. Gasper got the final five outs for her first save of 2022.

CSUMB took advantage of some sloppy Urban Knight defense to break open Game 1 with four runs on just one hit in the second inning. The Otters put the game away with a 5–run fifth inning, capped by a bases–clearing double from first baseman Alyssa Burt (Garden Grove/Pacifica HS).

That was more than enough support for Gasper, who completed her third shutout in eight starts by scattering three hits and a walk amongst seven strikeout for her fourth win of the season.

The Otter offense struck early in Game 2, scoring five times in the first three innings. Sophomore Brittney Perez (Stockton/St. Mary's HS) hit her first home run of the season and Jessica Cross (Simi Valley HS) added a 2–run double as part of the explosion.

But a pair of fielding errors in the bottom of the sixth inning led to three unearned runs that got Art back into the game. Gasper came on in relief and got a strikeout and a comebacker to strand the tying runs in scoring position than fanned two more in the seventh to secure the win.

Main improved to 6–0 while allowing four hits, no earned runs and striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings.

 

GAME 1 WAS OVER WHEN OVER WHEN… Alyssa Burt's bases–loaded double in the fifth got the Otter lead to run–rule territory at 9–0.

GAME 2 WAS OVER WHEN OVER WHEN… Cassie Gasper struck out Katie Humphreys to end the game with the tying run on first base.

GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES… Freshman outfielder Jessica Cross enjoyed the first 3–hit game of her young career by going 3–for–4 in Wednesday's opener at ArtU. She has hit safely in the last four games while raising her average to .344.

SHUT YOUR OUTS… Cassie Gasper and Jensen Main have combined for six shutouts through CSUMB's first 13 games (three apiece). By contrast, the 2020 Otters didn't earn their first shutout until Game 14. The six shutouts through 13 games breaks the Otter record of four set twice previously, last in 2015.

EXTRA FUN FOR BRITTNEY PEREZ… Sophomore third baseman Brittney Perez is having extra fun at the plate this season. Perez is now 3–for–11 (.273) at the plate with all three hits going for extra bases (one double, one triple, one HR). She added the triple and homer in the Game 2 win.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT (GAME 1)… Cassie Gasper (W [4–3], 5.0IP, 3H, 0R, 7K); Alyssa Burt (2x4, 2B, 4RBI); Jessica Cross (3x4, R); Haylee Clay (1x3, 2R, RBI).

LEADERS OF THE RAFT (GAME 2)… Jensen Main (W [6–0], 5.1IP, 4H, 0ER, 7K, 3BB); Cassie Gasper (Sv [1], 1.2IP, 2H, 0R, 3K); Brittney Perez (2x3, HR [1], 3B, R, RBI); Jessica Cross (1x4, 2B, 2 RBI); Haylee Clay (1x4, 2B, R)

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters continue their 6–game, Bay are roadtrip with a doubleheader at San Francisco State Friday at noon.

Original source can be found here.