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Aztecs run win streak to six games with wins over UC Riverside and LMU
Source: goaztecs.com
Videos courtesy goaztecs.com
February 18, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego State stretched its winning streak to six games with a pair of victories on the first day of the 32nd annual Campbell/Cartier Classic Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (7-1) beat UC Riverside, 7-4, before shutting out 2022 NCAA tournament team LMU, 3-0, in the nightcap.
In the opener, SDSU jumped out to a 5-0 lead through two innings and rolled to a 7-4 win over the Highlanders (3-5).
San Diego State scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning off four hits and two UCR errors as three of the four runs were unearned. Mac Barbara first singled in Bella Espinoza and later scored when Cali Decker’s sacrifice fly was muffed by UC Riverside center fielder Haylee Kala. Eventually, Alexis Otero’s single through the left side plated AJ Murphy and Macey Keester’s groundout to pitcher Briza Blanco scored Decker.
The Aztecs added a run in the second as Jillian Celis scored on a fielding error by second baseman Lauryn Garewal.
Kela homered in the fourth and Kat Montuya scored on a SDSU throwing error in the top of the fifth for Highlanders, but San Diego State answered in the bottom half of the fifth when Makena Broki’s single deep in the hole at shortstop knocked in both Ally Dueker and Otero.
Down, 7-2, UCR made it interesting in the sixth as Nadia Witt singled, Max Ortego tripled and Marissa Burk doubled to make it a 7-4 game. Aztec reliever Cassidy West, however, struck out Montuya and got Leah Brito to ground out to Murphy at third to get out of the jam.
Allie Light then struck out the side in the seventh to pick up her second save in as many games and secure the 7-4 SDSU win.
Dani Martinez picked up the victory, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings, striking out six. The right-hander is now 2-0 on the season. West gave up two runs on three hits with one strikeout in an inning of relief.
Otero was 3-for-3 with an RBI, run and double to pace the San Diego State offense, while Barbara had two singles, a RBI, run and walk. Brocki and Celis also singled and walked for the Aztecs.
In the nightcap, SDSU rode the arms of Sara Lehman and Dee Dee Hernandez and used timely hitting in a 3-0 win over the Lions (2-6). The duo allowed just three LMU baserunners in the game against a team that captured the West Coast Conference last year and won a game in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional.
Lehman (2-0) started the game and retired the first nine batters she faced before giving a leadoff single to Samantha Poole in the top of the fourth. Overall, Lehman allowed two hits over four innings, while striking out four. Hernandez, meanwhile, gave up just one hit over three innings, striking out four in just 26 pitches (21 for strikes). The left-hander picked up her second save of the season.
San Diego State scored its first run in the first when Barbara’s single plated Celis.
In the fourth, Elianna Reyes came in for Decker after a walk, moved to second on a Taylor Okada single, stole third and scored on a Keester sacrifice fly. Okada later scored on a double down the right-field line by Brocki.
Barbara’s two hits led the Aztec offense, while Brocki reached twice with an RBI double and a walk.
THE NOTE
Over SDSU’s six-game winning streak, it has two shutouts and one run-rule victory, outscoring its opponents, 34-8.
THE NOTE II
San Diego State pitchers have a save (two for RHP Allie Light and two for LHP Dee Dee Hernandez) in four of the Aztecs’ seven wins this year.
STAT OF THE DAY
SDSU has won 12 consecutive games against teams from the state of California.
UP NEXT
San Diego State wraps up its play in the 32nd annual Campbell/Cartier Classic on Saturday with games against No. 24/24 Oregon (4 p.m.) and Utah Valley (6:30 p.m.).
(rv/rv) San Diego State 7, UC Riverside 0
UC Riverside (3-5) 000 112 0 -- 4 7 3
San Diego State 410 020 x -- 7 9 1
Blanco, Pieson (2), Heinlin (5) and Araki; Martinez, West (6), Light (7) and Barbara
W - Martinez, 2-0; L - Blanco, 0-2; SV - Light, 2
HR: UC Riverside, Kela (2)
(rv/rv) San Diego State 3, LMU 0
LMU (2-6)
San Diego State (7-1) 100 200 x -- 3 6 0
Perez and Pero; Lehman, Hernandez (5) and Decker
W - Lehman, 2-0; L - Perez, 0-3; SV - Hernandez, 2
Other Friday Scores
No. 24/24 Oregon 9, Utah Valley 0 (6 inn.)
No. 24/24 Oregon 6, UC Riverside 1
Utah Valley 6, LMU 2
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