CABLE'S TWO-RUN HOMER LIFTS SDSU SOFTBALL OVER UNLV

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

May 5, 2017 (San Diego) - On Cinco de Mayo, Aztecs softball welcomed the UNLV Rebels to Aztec softball stadium.  Senior Morgan Ettinger started on the mound for the Rebels against another senior, Erica Romero, for the Aztecs.

Following a series of 1-2-3 innings, Aztecs freshman Megan Smith got a chance to show what she can do.  In the second with the bases loaded, she chopped a ball to center, driving a run home and giving the Aztecs a 1-0 lead.

But the Rebels’ Alyssa Navarro erased the deficit.  The junior blasted a solo shot to left in the third to tie the game at one.

The Aztecs fought to reclaim their lead in the fourth and they did it in a big way.  Senior Frankie Orlando started the inning off with a leadoff double and senior Jaylene Ignacio scored her with another double.  Junior Zaria Meshack hit a sac groundout to score Ignacio and the Aztecs ended the fourth up 3-1.

UNLV freshman Justine Federe hit a sac fly in the fifth that scored junior Jadelynn Yadao-Valdez, but the Aztecs still led 3-2.

Senior Sydnee Cable gave the Aztecs some breathing room in their half of the fifth with a two-run homer that just cleared the center field wall and SDSU saw their lead jump to 5-2.

The Rebels did get a run back in the seventh when the Aztecs bungled a routine ground ball play and junior reliever Alex Formby was badly hurt when a ball glanced off her toe, but she stayed in the game and the Aztecs defense held strong to get the 5-3 win and start the series off right.

Due to rain in the forecast, the Aztecs and Rebels will play the final two games of the series tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Box