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Sarah Lehman threw six innings of shutout softball in the win
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
April 22, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego State scored six runs in the first two innings, while Sarah Lehman and Dee Dee Hernandez combined to shutout the Lobos, as the Aztecs ran out 6-0 winners in game two of the series on Saturday afternoon. Lehman threw six innings of three hit ball to earn her 10th win of the season.
Unlike Friday night, where the Aztecs (29-12, 13-5 MW) failed to score in the opening frames, SDSU scored early and often in Saturday’s win over New Mexico (17-27, 4-12 MW). The Scarlet and Black jumped out to an early lead in the first when they scored four runs to open up a 4-0 lead.
After Lehman walked the leadoff batter and gave up a single to begin the game, she got three quick outs to keep the Lobos off the scoreboard.
In the bottom half of the frame Bella Espinoza leadoff with a bunt single and then stole second, bringing reigning Mountain West Player of the Week Mac Barbara to the plate. Barbara then brought home the first run of the game with a single, giving SDSU a 1-0 advantage with no outs in the bottom of the first.
The next batter was Jillian Celis who got hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second for Cali Decker. After Barbara and Celis pulled off the double steal to put them both in scoring position, Decker brought them home. The transfer from Florida singled down the left field line, and extended the Aztecs lead to 3-0. On the very next pitch Makena Brocki drove Decker in with a single down the right field line to give SDSU a 4-0 lead.
After Lehman settled in and struckout two Lobos in the top of the second, San Diego State would further extend their lead in the bottom of the second. Macey Keester and Espinoza both walked with one out in the inning, and then with two outs the duo each moved up 60 feet on a wild pitch with Celis at the dish. Celis then drove in both Aztecs to give SDSU a 6-0 lead with a single through the right side.
With a six-run lead, Lehman didn’t look back and sent down New Mexico in order in the third, with two flyouts and a groundout to add to her tally. She followed that up by getting her ninth and 10th batters in a row to groundout and flyout before the next Lobo singled through the middle to break up her streak. The transfer from DePaul quickly got out of the inning with a pop up to second to end the top of the fourth, and the Aztecs still lead 6-0.
After two more innings of shutout softball, Hernandez came in relief of Lehman in the top of the seventh and the Aztecs still up 6-0. Lehman finished the day with six shutout innings in the circle and three strikeouts to add to her season total.
Hernandez continued the trend in the top of the seventh as she worked around a one out single to secure the shutout for the Aztecs by striking out the final batter of the game, and SDSU earned a 6-0 win on Saturday.
The Note: SDSU’s pitching staff has combined to limit the Lobos to one run and seven hits in 14 innings to begin the series.
Up Next: San Diego State looks to sweep the series on senior day on Sunday, with first pitch set for noon. ECM Sports may have coverage of this game. Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for updates.
San Diego State 6, New Mexico 0
New Mexico (17-26, 4-12 MW) 000 000 0 -- 0 4 0
San Diego State (29-12, 13-5 MW) 420 000 X -- 6 7 0
W - Lehman, 10-3; L - Brinka, 3-7
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