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Aztecs combine for one-hitter in 5-0 win over Long Beach State
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
March 3, 2023 (San Diego) - Sarah Lehman and Allie Light combined on a one-hit shutout to give San Diego State a 5-0 win over Long Beach State on the first day of the San Diego Classic Friday at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (11-6) fell to San Diego, 4-0, in the nightcap.
In the opener, Lehman (5-1) and Light almost notched SDSU’s first known combined no-hitter and the fifth known no-hitter in a 5-0 victory over the 49ers (6-11). Lehman tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just a hit batter and a walk to consecutive batters with two outs in the top of the fourth inning. She struck out five to improve to 5-1 on the season. Light, meanwhile, gave up a leadoff single in the seventh, LBSU’s only hit in the game, and stuck out two to pick up her fifth save of the season.
San Diego State only had one run though five innings when pinch runner Elianna Reyes moved from first base to third on a sacrifice bunt by Macey Keester in the bottom of the fourth and scored on an errant throw, but exploded for four insurance runs in the sixth on six hits and a walk.
The Aztecs quickly loaded the bases on singles by Keester, AJ Murphy and Jade Ignacio before Makena Brocki’s sacrifice fly plated Keester. Bella Espinoza singled to load the bases and Jillian Celis followed with a single to score Murphy. After a fielder’s choice grounder, Cali Decker knocked in a pair of runs with a single up the middle for the final runs of the game.
SDSU had 11 hits in the game, led by Murphy’s 3-for-3 outing. Celis added two hits, an RBI and a walk, while Espinoza notched a pair of singles. Decker and Alex Bunton each singled and walked, and Barbara drew a pair of walks.
In the nightcap, San Diego State struggled to get anything going against Torero (4-14) pitcher Courtney Rose in a 4-0 loss.
The Aztecs were outhit, 8-4, in the game, while going 0-for-13 with runners on base and 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
USD got on the scoreboard in the top of the second when Ashley Daugherty hit a one-out double and Taylor Johnson followed with a triple. SDSU starting pitcher Dani Martinez got out of the inning with back-to-back flyouts.
In the third, San Diego loaded the bases with no outs but was unable to only get one run across when KJ Hopfer scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Tovar. Martinez (3-2) got Daugherty to fly out to right fielder Ally Dueker, who threw home to Barbara, who made the tag on Mikalyn Emanuelli. It was one of three double plays in the game for San Diego State.
The Toreros added two insurance runs in the seventh on consecutive RBI hits - a triple by Amanda Limon and a single by Hopfer - to put the game out of reach.
Martinez took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits over three innings, while striking out one. Dee Dee Hernandez pitched the final four innings, surrendering two runs on four hits, striking out one.
Decker doubled and walked for the Aztecs, while Barbara also doubled.
THE NOTE
SDSU fell to 58-7 all-time against USD.
THE NOTE II
San Diego State picked up its fifth one-hitter since Stacey Nuveman Deniz took over as head coach in 2022 with Light being a part of four of them.
(the Aztecs also have a no-hitter over that span).
STAT OF THE DAY
The loss to San Diego snapped SDSU’s 15-game winning streak against schools from California.
UP NEXT
San Diego State continues its play in the San Diego Classic with a 3 p.m. game against Boston Univ. on Saturday. ECM Sports may have coverage of this game.
Game 1: San Diego State 5, Long Beach State 0
Long Beach State (6-11) 000 000 0 -- 0 1 1
San Diego State 000 104 x -- 5 11 0
Fernandez, Gonzales (4), Fowler (6) and Thies; Lehman, Light (6) and Decker
W - Lehman, 5-1; L - Gonzales, 1-2; SV - Light, 5
Game 2: San Diego 4, San Diego State 0
San Diego (4-14) 011 000 2 -- 4 8 1
San Diego State (11-6) 000 000 0 -- 0 4 0
Rose and Tovar; Martinez, Hernandez (4) and Barbara, Decker (4)
W - Rose, 1-3; L - Martinez, 3-2
Other San Diego Classic Games (Friday)
Boston Univ. 9, Montana 1 (5 innings)
Long Beach State 5, Boston 1
San Diego 12, Montana 0 (5 innings)
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