Marmolejo, who has been impressive since transferring from Loyola Marymount University at semester’s break, launched a high-arching bomb over the left-centerfield fence with no outs in the top of the second, scoring Natalie Mickelson as well to give Azusa Pacific a 2-0 lead.
That was more than enough for Halma, who scattered 7 hits and time and again came up with clutch outs to strand 9 San Marcos base runners, including 6 in scoring position. In fact, in the opening inning of play, Halma surrendered 3 consecutive 2-out singles to load the bases but shut the door on the threat by striking out Melissa Lerno for her only punch-out of the game.
In the third, San Marcos got the first 2 batters on, sacrificed them to second and third before Halma single-handedly squashed the potential rally by snagging a line-drive and inducing a comebacker to her.
Cal State finally got to Halma with a 1-out run in the sixth inning but again the left runners at first and third with another inning-ending comebacker.
The game was called because of darkness after 6 innings of play, allowing Halma to push her record to 2-1 on the season.
In the opening game, Alyssa Dronenburg hammered a pair of solo home runs, and San Marcos used a 3-run outburst in the third inning to snap a 1-1 tie and roll to the victory. Lerno pitched 5 innings of 1-run softball to pick up the win.
Azusa Pacific rallied with 3 runs in the top of the seventh, all with 2 outs. Mickelson’s 2-out double to leftfield scored Halma to highlight the inning.
On the day, Halma went 3-for-7 with a pair of RBIs. Erika Navarrete was 3-for-3 in the first game to raise her team-leading batting average to .600 on the season.
With the split Azusa Pacific moves to 3-3 while Cal State San Marcos is 1-2.
The Cougars will be in action, Thursday, Feb. 19, when they host Holy Names University in their 2009 home opener beginning at 4 p.m.
