SDSU SOFTBALL'S RALLY COMES UP SHORT IN 4-2 LOSS TO SAN DIEGO

Aztecs drop to 54-5 all-time against the Toreros

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  West Hills High grad Katie Byrd had two of SDSU's seven hits in a 4-2 loss to San Diego.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

March 27, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State’s late rally came up short in a 4-2 loss to San Diego Tuesday night at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (9-21) dropped to 54-5 all-time against the Toreros (20-15) with the setback.

USD jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a pinch-hit two-run homer by Emili Olague in the top of the third inning, and two more runs in the fifth on a RBI single by Halle Kyler and a RBI double by Taylor Spence.

SDSU finally got things going in the bottom of the fifth as Kiera Wright led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kayla Sok and to third on a bunt single by Zaria Meshack. Katie Byrd followed with a single to center field to score Wright from third and Molly Sturdivant then singled up the middle to score Meshack.

After San Diego State reliever Alex Formby retired San Diego in order in the sixth, the Aztecs threatened again in the bottom half getting two runners on with one out. Torero starting pitcher Hannah Boos, however, got Shelby Thompson to pop out in right-center field and Megan Smith to ground out to third to end the inning.

Byrd kept the game alive with a one-out double in the seventh and was replaced by Janina Jusay, but Delaney Heller, who came in for Boos in the beginning of the inning, struck out Sturdivant and Taylor Adams swinging to secure USD’s fifth-ever win in the series.

SDSU outhit San Diego 7-6 for the game, but left seven on base, going 3-for-15 (.200) with runners on base. Byrd had two of San Diego State’s seven hits.

Marissa Moreno took the loss for the Aztecs allowing three runs on three hits over four innings, striking out one. Formby pitched the final three innings and gave up one run on three hits.

NOTE I

San Diego State’s five losses in the series with San Diego have come in 2005 (March 9 at SDSU), 2008 (March 7 in Tempe, Ariz.), 2010 (April 2 at USD), 2014 (April 29 at USD) and 2018 (March 27 at SDSU).

NOTE 2

The Aztecs dropped to 8-3 on the season when they outhit their opponent.

UP NEXT

San Diego State begins its first home Mountain West series this weekend against Boise State, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

San Diego 4, San Diego State 2

San Diego (20-15)          002 020 0 -- 4 6 1

San Diego State (9-21)    000 020 0 -- 2 7 1

Boos, Heller (7) and Evans; Moreno, Formby (5) and Sturdivant

W - Boos, 8-2; L - Moreno, 2-11; SV - Heller, 4

HR: San Diego, Olague (1)

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