SDSU SOFTBALL DOWNS BOISE STATE 5-3 IN SERIES OPENER

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

April 29, 2023 (Boise) -  Mac Barbara and Jeweliana Perez each homered as San Diego State powered past Boise State, 5-3, in the series opener Friday afternoon at Dona Larsen Park in Boise, Idaho. The Aztecs (31-12, 15-5 MW) and the Broncos (29-12, 13-3 MW) are now tied atop the Mountain West standings.

Barbara hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning and Perez hit a solo homer in the fourth for SDSU, which outhit the top offensive team in the conference, 11-7.

Bella Espinoza led off the game with a single and Barbara followed with a deep home run well over the center-field wall. It was the 11th homer of the season for the defending MW Player of the Year.

Eliyah Flores answered for BS in the bottom of the second with a two-run homer by Eliyah Flores.

San Diego State took back the lead in the third as a Cali Decker single knocked in both Barbara and Jillian Celis.

Serena Hutchingson halved the Aztec lead in the bottom of the third on a solo home run.

Perez then led off the fourth with her first career homer for the final run of the game.

Makena Brocki led off the fifth with a triple but was later caught in rundown at the plate.

Boise State quickly got two runners on back in the bottom of the fifth on a single and hit batter, but SDSU relief pitcher Dee Dee Hernandez got Hutchingson to line into a double play to AJ Murphy at third base, who threw it to Brock at second for the forceout. Allie Light then came in for Hernandez (7-2) and got Bronco slugger Kelsey Hall to pop up to Celis at shortstop to get San Diego State out of the jam.

Barbara had three hits, two RBIs and two runs to lead the Aztec offense. Decker was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk, while Perez (HR, 2B, RBI, R), Brocki (2B, 3B, R) and Espinoza (R) added two hits apiece.

Sarah Lehman started in the circle for SDSU and gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over three innings, while striking out three. Hernandez picked up the win after tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings with one hit allowed, striking out one. Light earned the save, giving up just one hit in 2 1/3 innings, while logging one strikeout.

THE NOTE

San Diego State won its 45th straight game when leading after six innings (23-0 this season).

THE NOTE II

The Aztecs won their 13th consecutive game and improved to 21-1 on the season when scoring at least five runs.

STAT OF THE DAY

RHP Allie Light picked up her seventh save of the season to set a program record, passing four others who had six, including Maggie Balint (2022), Samantha Beasley (2009), Celena Velasquez (2005) and Bre DeSanta (2002).

UP NEXT

SDSU looks to claim the series with Boise State at 4 p.m. MT (3 p.m. PT) on Saturday.

San Diego State 5, Boise State 3

San Diego State (31-12, 15-5 MW)       202 100 0 -- 5 11 0

Boise State (28-13, 13-3 MW)               021 000 0 -- 3 7 0

Lehman, Hernandez (4), Light (5) and Decker; Caudill and S. Hutchingson

W - Hernandez, 7-2; L - Caudill, 12-8; SV - Light, 7

HR: San Diego State, Barbara (11), Perez (1); Boise State, S. Hutchingson (11), E. Flores (10)

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