March 1, 2003
TUCSON, Ariz. - The San Diego State softball team split two decisions today in the second day of action at the Hillenbrand Invitational hosted by Arizona. The Aztecs defeated the Dutch national team, 8-0, before falling to No. 2 Arizona, 11-0. SDSU now owns a 12-7 overall record, going 3-1 so far at the tournament.
For the third consecutive game, the Aztecs shut out their opponent, defeating the Dutch national team, 8-0, in five innings Saturday morning. The win marks sophomore pitcher Bre DeSanta's fourth shutout this season. The right-handed hurler gave up just two hits, facing only 18 batters and striking out three.
San Diego State broke the game wide open in the bottom of the first as lead-off hitter Erin Mahoney singled to begin SDSU's half of the inning. Junior second baseman Joann Figueroa also reached first with a bunt single before junior center fielder Janna Kovensky laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. With one out and Aztecs on second and third, clean-up hitter Kelcy Murphy drilled a three-run shot over the left field wall to give SDSU a 3-0 advantage.
The Aztecs continued their scoring spree in the second inning, as Kovensky singled to left center to bring home Mahoney and freshman right fielder Bree Boyer, followed by a Murphy double that scored Kovensky and gave the junior third baseman her fourth RBI of the game. Junior first baseman Jacque Vaca stepped up to plate next and sent the ball down the left field line for SDSU's fourth run scored in the inning, putting the Aztecs up, 7-0. In the bottom of the fifth, freshman shortstop Bianca Cruz singled to right center to score freshman Deanna Richards for San Diego State's eighth and final run of the contest.
Against the Wildcats, the Aztec defense struggled, committing three errors as Arizona (20-2) scored two runs in the first inning, then nine in the second.
SDSU threatened in the first, as Figueroa, Kovensky and Vaca each got a hit to load the bases, but Wildcat pitcher Alicia Hallowell managed to get out of the inning. Figueora went 2-for-2 at the plate against the freshman hurler.
The Aztecs' success at the invitational has earned them the No. 2 seed for Sunday's championship game. SDSU will have a rematch with the No. 1 seeded Wildcats tomorrow at noon.