Chenault Sets Strikeout Record, Hancock Routs Oxnard in Doubleheader Sweep

(SANTA MARIA, CA)  Katie Chenault set the program's single-season strikeout record and the Bulldogs recorded eight straight hits to open a doubleheader against Oxnard and cruised to 19-0 and 11-1 five-inning victories on Tuesday at the Hagerman Sports Complex. The Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing skid, all of which came during a non-conference tournament over the weekend in Ventura. They improved to 9-2 in Western State Conference play and 20-12 overall. Hancock started the day in a tie for first with Cuesta, which played two on the road in Ventura on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs are searching for their first conference title since 1998.

Kristine Ramos opened the bottom of the first in the opener with a triple. She scored a few pitches later when Jessica Rothanzl delivered a double down the left field line to give Hancock a 1-0 lead. Missy Regalado followed a double to the center field wall to move Rothanzl to third. Chenault singled home Rothanzl and Tawny Nunes lined a single to plate Regalado. Paige Cosand delivered Hancock's sixth hit in a row with a single of her own to score Chenault and make it 4-0 Hancock. Tiana McWhorter followed with a RBI-single and Gianna Abatti made it eight hits in a row with a two-run double to right field. The Nipomo High School graduate scored on a RBI-double from Ramos. Regalado capped the 10-run inning with a towering two-run home run to left field for her third home run of the season.

Chenault allowed a hit to the first batter, but did not allow another one the rest of the opening game. The Righetti High School graduate struck out nine and did not allow a walk in the victory. She entered the doubleheader with 265 strikeouts, ten shy of tying Nece Amuhada's record of 275 set in 1995.

Ramos, a sophomore and Righetti High School graduate, led Hancock's 16-hit attack in the opener with a 4 for 4 effort with a double, triple, two singles, two stolen bases, four runs and twoe runs-batted-in.  Rothanzl, Regalado, Chenault, Nunes and Cosand had two hits apiece. Ramos, Chenault, Rothanzl, Cosand and Abatti had 2 RBI each, while Regalado finished with 4 RBI.

Chenault broke the 19-year old record in the second inning of the second game by recording her 276^th strikeout of the season. She finished with seven strikeouts and allowed four hits and one unearned run in five innings.  With 16 punch-outs on the day, Chenault ran her total to 281 strikeouts this season, which was also the most by a pitcher in the state.

The Bulldogs took control of the second game with a five-run first inning and sent 10 batters to the plate. They added three more runs in the second and three in the fourth to account for the 8-run rule. Abatti provided the extra cushion with a three-run home run, her second of the season. The Nipomo High School graduate went 2 for 3 with 4 RBI. Rothanzl went 3 for 3 in the second game, while Nunes finished 2 for 3.  Cosand added 2 RBI and scored three times in the finale.

The Bulldogs host Moorpark on Thursday, April 3, at Hagerman Sports Complex. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m. Hancock swept two at Moorpark earlier this month by scores of 7-0 and 10-0.