SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State split a doubleheader on the final day of the San Diego Classic Sunday at USD Softball Complex. The Aztecs (13-7) opened with a 16-0 victory over Montana in five innings before falling to Boston Univ., 5-3, in the nightcap.
In the opener, SDSU used a 11-run fifth inning to run-rule the Grizzlies (0-20), 16-0, in five innings. The 16 runs were the most by San Diego State since beating Oklahoma State, 17-5, in six innings on Feb. 25, 2017. The Aztecs had 15 hits and three walks in the game, and were hit by two pitches.
Jillian Celis had three hits, three RBIs and three runs to lead SDSU, while Macey Keester was 2-for-3 with a double, four RBIs, three runs, a walk and a stolen base. Makena Brocki added two hits, two runs and a walk, and Cali Decker (2-for-4, 2 R), Jade Ignacio (1-for-3) and Alex Bunton (1-for-3, R) each added two RBIs apiece. Additionally, both Bunton and Trinity Brandon each recorded their first collegiate triple in the game.
In addition to the 11-run fifth inning, San Diego State scores twice in the top of the first and three runs in the second.
The offense was plenty for Cassidy West. Starting for the first time of the season, West (1-0) tossed a complete game shutout with two hits (both singles) and a walk allowed, while striking out three.
In the nightcap, the Aztecs rallied from an early 3-0 deficit but the Terriers (14-5) scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to hold on for a 5-3 victory. It was a rematch of yesterday's game, which SDSU won, 2-0, in a battle of a pair of 2022 NCAA tournament teams.
BU opened the scoring in the second on an RBI single by Tyesha Williams and a two-run double by Nicole Amodio.
San Diego State answered in the third when Brocki's sacrifice fly scored Ally Dueker, and a single by Celis knocked in both Bunton and Bella Espinoza.
Boston took the lead back for good in the sixth as Brooke Deppiesse (single) and Emily Gant (fielder's choice) got into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Aimee Metz. Aztec pitcher Allie Light struck out Williams swinging, but Amodio followed with a single to right field to score both runners.
Light worked around a leadoff double by Lauren Keleher in the top of the seventh to give SDSU one last chance in the bottom of the seventh. Bunton walked to lead off the inning and Espinoza later reached on a one-out single. Keester moved both runners up a base on a groundout before Celis lined out to shortstop Kayla Roncin to end the game.
Espinoza had two hits, a run, walk and stolen base for San Diego State, while Bunton reached twice with a single and a walk.
Light (1-4) took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits over five innings of relief, while striking out four. Dani Martinez started in the circle and yielded three runs on four hits over two innings, striking out two.
THE NOTE
The 16-0 victory over Montana in the opener is tied for the Aztecs' fourth-largest margin of victory in program history and largest since beating New Mexico by a school-record 19 runs (23-4) on May 6, 2016.
THE NOTE II
SDSU's 16 runs vs. Montana are tied for the ninth most in a game in program history.
STAT OF THE DAY
San Diego State has now won 66 consecutive games when scoring at least 10 runs.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play host to Minnesota at 6 p.m. PT Tuesday.
San Diego State 16, Montana 0 (5 innings)
San Diego State 230 0(11) -- 16 15 0
Montana 000 00 -- 0 2 3
West and Ignacio; Brock, Joseph (5), Haegele (5) and Stockton
W - West, 1-0; L - Brock, 0-7
Boston Univ. 5, San Diego State 3
Boston Univ. (14-5) 030 002 0 -- 5 9 1
San Diego State (13-7) 003 000 0 -- 3 7 0
Martinez, Light (3) and Decker; Boaz and Sellers
W - Boaz, 8-2; L - Light, 1-4
Other San Diego Classic Games (Sunday)
Boston Univ. 10, San Diego 1 (5 innings)
SDSU Splits on Final Day of San Diego Classic
