Northridge Gets an Earful, Earns a Split : College softball: One run is enough for Blake-Small, who limits Sacramento to three hits.

NORTHRIDGE —  It took a good scolding between games, but the Cal State Northridge softball team limped out of its hitting slump Friday in time to salvage a split with Cal State Sacramento in a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader.

The eighth-ranked Matadors managed only one hit in the opener and lost, 2-0. Behind Kathy Blake-Small’s three-hitter, Northridge won the second game, 1-0.

Northridge (27-10, 10-2 in the WAC) plays host to Fresno State (34-8, 6-2) in a WAC doubleheader at 1 p.m. today. Sacramento is 26-4, 6-2.

Despite their loss, the Matadors maintained sole possession--by winning percentage--of first place because Utah (15-12, 6-2) split its doubleheader with Colorado State (14-15, 3-11).

But before Northridge Coach Janet Sherman learned of Utah’s split, she chastised the Matadors in the dugout following the second game. And that, she said, was nothing compared to the session she held two hours earlier.

“Between games was the tongue-lashing,” Sherman said, “and it continued right on through the entire second game. This (loss) has put us in a hole. Bottom line is we have to play well, and offensively, we’re not playing well.”

Sacramento’s Susie Bugliarello (14-1) allowed only one hit while dismissing the Matadors on 87 pitches in the opener. The sophomore right-hander struck out six and had a no-hitter until Jamie Herrington slapped an opposite-field bloop single into left with one out in the sixth.

After Jessica Cunningham’s sacrifice moved Herrington to second, Bugliarello intentionally walked Scia Maumausolo, who led all WAC players with a .556 average going into the game.

Herrington and Maumausolo advanced on a passed ball, but Jen Richardson popped out to left to end the Matadors’ only scoring threat of the first game.

Richardson (7-4) allowed four hits. The two in the sixth hurt most. Cori Keay led off the inning with a single and two batters later Jill Haas ripped a two-run home run to right-center.

In the second game, Northridge managed six hits against junior right-hander Tami Blunt.

Maumausolo led off the fourth with a single and advanced to second on Richardson’s fly to left. After a groundout by Chelo Lopez, Jennifer Parker drilled a liner to center to drive in Maumausolo for the game’s only run.

Blake-Small (13-4), a senior right-hander, struck out five and did not allow a baserunner beyond second.