SAN DIEGO – Allie Light was lights out in the circle on Friday night, throwing a complete game for the Aztecs, while Jillian Celis provided a timely two-run double in the bottom of the fifth to lead San Diego State to a 4-1 win over New Mexico in game one of the series at the SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs have now won 12 of their last 14 games.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings of action on Friday night, as both Light for the Aztecs (28-12, 12-5 MW), and Taylor Snow for the Lobos (17-25, 4-10 MW) were dealing early. Light sent the Lobos down in order the first time through the order, and mixed her pitches well, getting nine outs in quick fashion via four groundouts, two flyouts, a lineout, and a popup to the shortstop to end the third inning. The Lobos finally got their first hit of the game with two outs in the fourth inning, when a Lobo earned their way on via a one out bunt, but was left stranded and the game went to the bottom of the fourth, 0-0.
The Aztecs broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning when Makena Brocki grounded out to the New Mexico third baseman, and Elianna Reyes advanced to third and then scored on the throwing error, giving SDSU a 1-0 lead through four innings. The Scarlet and Black then tacked on two more in the bottom of the fifth to add some insurance runs.
With a new pitcher in the game for New Mexico in the bottom of the fifth, the Aztecs quickly got runners aboard. Alexis Otero led off the inning with a single, and the next batter, Macey Keester, was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs. Bella Espinoza then advanced both runners when she grounded out to shortstop. Later on in the inning with two outs, Jillian Celis doubled to left field, scoring Keester and Otero to give the Aztecs a 3-0 lead.
SDSU added another run in the sixth inning to make it a 4-0 game courtesy of an Alexis Otero sacrifice fly, before the Lobos made things interesting for Light in the seventh. After six innings of scoreless softball, Light ran into a bit of trouble in the seventh. After the leadoff batter doubled to open the inning, Light got the next batter to groundout to short, before a single up the middle brought home the Lobos first run of the night with one out in the top of the seventh, and the Aztecs led 4-1.
After walking the following batter and putting the tying run at the plate, Light got the next batter out. Then with two outs and runners on first and second, she walked the Lobo's hitter, putting the go-ahead run at the dish. The junior then got the final batter of the game to strikeout with the bases loaded, preserving the 4-1 win for SDSU.
The Note: Friday night's outing was Light's longest of her career, and the first time she has pitched a complete game.
Up Next: San Diego State continues its final homestand of the 2023 season on Saturday when they take on New Mexico in game two of the series. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. PT at the SDSU Softball Stadium
San Diego State 4, New Mexico 1
New Mexico (17-25, 4-10 MW) 000 000 0 -- 1 3 2
San Diego State (28-12, 12-5 MW) 000 121 X -- 4 6 1
W - Light, 9-5; L - Snow, 4-9
Light Leads Aztecs Past New Mexico, 4-1
