Aztecs Beat Fresno State, 7-4, to Claim Series

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State downed Fresno State, 7-4, to claim the weekend series Sunday afternoon at SDSU Softball Stadium.
 
The Aztecs (18-10, 3-3 MW) spotted the Bulldogs (11-18, 1-2 MW) a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and then scored seven runs in a three-inning span for the 7-4 victory.
 
Bella Espinoza and Jillian Celis had two hits apiece, and AJ Murphy slugged a three-run homer in a four-run third to spart the SDSU offense. Espinoza also walked twice and scored three runs, while Celis had two RBIs and Mac Barbara chipped in with one RBI.
 
Allie Light picked up the win for a second straight game for San Diego State. Light (5-4) allowed three hits without issuing a walk in two innings of relief, striking out three. Sarah Lehman worked around two hits and a walk in the seventh inning, striking out two to record her second save of the year. Former FS pitcher Cassidy West drew the start for the Aztecs and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks over two innings, striking out one. Dee Dee Hernandez (2 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K) pitched the third and fourth innings for SDSU.
 
THE NOTE
San Diego State improved to 8-2 on the season against teams from the state of California.
 
THE NOTE II
RF AJ Murphy homered for the second straight game and now has three for her career.
 
STAT OF THE DAY
The Aztecs have won nine of the last 10 series dating back to last year.
 
UP NEXT
SDSU travels to Riverside Tuesday to face California Baptist at 6 p.m. PT.
 
San Diego State 7, Fresno State 4
Fresno State (11-18, 1-2 MW)               200 020 0 -- 4 12 1              
San Diego State (18-10, 3-3 MW)         104 200 x -- 7 6 1
West, Hernandez (3), Light (5), Lehman (7) and Ignacio; Neiss, Ortega (6), Denman (6) and Bunker
W - Light, 5-4; L - Ortega, 0-3; SV - Lehman, 2
HR: Fresno State, Wilson (4); San Diego State, Murphy (3)