SDSU SOFTBALL SWEPT AT MW-LEADING UTAH STATE

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Aztecs fall by scores of 4-2 and 4-1 in Logan, Utah

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Jenavee Peres had two hits and two walks in SDSU's two losses Saturday at Utah State.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

April 29, 2017 (Logan, Utah) - The San Diego State softball team was swept in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Utah State. The Aztecs (25-17, 9-8 MW) opened with a 4-2 loss to the Aggies (32-11, 14-5 MW) before falling by a 4-1 score on a walk-off three-run home run in the nightcap.

SDSU, which came into the weekend with the best batting average (.359) in the country and the 18th best in NCAA single-season history, managed only 10 hits (nine singles) over the two games and saw its average drop to .352. San Diego State had four hits in the opener and six in the second game, but did draw a combined six walks.

In the opener, USU got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning when Victoria Saucedo’s single to center field scored Amee Aarhus.

SDSU loaded the bases in the top of the second on two walks and a Utah State error, but Megan Smith (Valencia, Calif.) grounded into a fielder’s choice to Sarina Jaramillo at shortstop, who was able to touch third and get starting pitcher Kellie White out of the jam.

The Aggies loaded the bases themselves in the bottom of the second as Riley Plogger and Sydney Hart each singled with no outs. San Diego State starter Erica Romero (Corona, Calif.) got Brina Buttacavoli to pop out and Mia Maher to strike out swinging, but Aarhus followed with a single off Romero’s glove to load the bases. Romero, however, struck out Jazmin Clarke swinging to end the threat.

Jenavee Peres tied it at 1-1 for the Aztecs in the third with a two-out, solo home run over the right-field fence on a 1-2 pitch. It was the 13th home run of the season for the junior catcher and 31st of her career.

USU answered in the bottom of the third with a two-out solo homer by Jaramillo to take a 2-1 lead.

Utah State got going once again in the fourth as Hart drew a walk and Buttacavoli followed with a double. Alex Formby (Orange, Calif.) replaced Romero in the circle and got one out before Aarhus lined out to Jaylene Ignacio (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino HS) to score pinch-runner Emily Hunter with a sacrifice fly. After a walk, Formby got Saucedo to fly out to Ignacio and end the inning with just one run allowed. 

Formby got the first two outs in the fifth, but the Aggies loaded the bases once again on back-to-back singles and a walk. Formby got out of the jam by getting Maher to pop out to shortstop Shelby Thompson (Benicia, Calif.).

In the sixth, Peres drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on two groundouts. Frankie Orlando (Roseville, Calif.) then singled through the left side to make it a 3-2 game.

Saucedo put USU up again by two runs with a two-run double in the sixth to score Clarke.

SDSU was unable to tie the game and dropped the 4-2 opener.

San Diego State managed just four hits off White (17-4). Orlando had two of the four hits, while Peres homered, walked and scored both runs. Meshack also singled for the Aztecs.

Romero (8-5) took the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over three innings, while striking out three. Formby surrendered one run on four hits and two walks in three innings of relief, striking out one.

In the second game, SDSU loaded the bases in the top of the first with one out on a Katie Byrd (Santee, Calif./West Hills HS) walk, Peres single and Molly Sturdivant (Santa Ana, Calif.) single, but Utah State starter April Brown got Sydnee Cable (Huntington Beach, Calif.) to ground to second for the double play.

San Diego State threatened once again in the fifth as Smith led off with a single through the left side and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Meshack. Byrd grounded out to Brown in the circle to move Smith over to third before Peres was walked on four pitches. With two outs, Sturdivant ripped a 2-2 pitch up the middle to plate Smith with the go-ahead run.

The Aggies responded in the bottom half as Buttacavoli led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Kylie-Rose Dickson. Formby relieved Marissa Moreno (Torrance, Calif.) in the circle, but Aarhus ripped a single through the right side to tie the game up at 1-1 and allow Dickson to get to third. Aarhus moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Clarke and then Formby got Saucedo to fly out weakly to Smith in left field.

After the Aztecs grounded into a double play to end the top of the seventh, Buttacavoli led off the bottom half with a single, moved to second when Dickson was hit by a pitch and to third on a sacrifice bunt by Aarhus. With one out, pinch hitter Bailey Lewis homered over the center-field wall to give USU the walk-off 4-1 win.

Sturdivant had two of SDSU’s six hits, while Peres reached twice on a hit and a walk.

Formby (6-4) took the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits over 2 1/3 innings, while striking out three. Moreno gave up one run on six hits and a walk over four innings, posting three strikeouts.

San Diego State will look to win the series finale at noon MT (11 a.m. PT) Sunday.

Game 1: Utah State 4, San Diego State 2

San Diego State                                      001 001 0 -- 2 4 0

Utah State                                              101 101 x -- 4 12 1

Romero, Formby (4) and Peres; White and Buttacavoli

W - White, 17-4; L - Romero, 8-5

HR: San Diego State, Peres (13); Utah State, Jaramillo (6)

Game 2: Utah State 4, San Diego State 1

San Diego State (25-17, 9-8 MW)             000 010 0 -- 1 6 0

Utah State (32-11, 14-5 MW)                   000 010 3 -- 4 9 2

Moreno, Formby (5) and Peres; Brown and Hart

W - Brown, 13-4; L - Formby, 6-4

HR: Utah State, Lewis (2)

Game one box

Game two box


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