March 14, 2003
SAN DIEGO - The bases were loaded with the game-winning run on first base when Aztec pitcher Bre DeSanta got Stacy Mueller to foul out to first baseman Jacque Vaca. As a result, DeSanta (7-3) earned her first save of the year and SDSU improved to 17-10 on the season, defeating Nevada, 3-1, in the first day of action at the Aztec Invitational.
The Aztecs had a productive fourth inning against Nevada, compiling three runs on six hits to put SDSU up, 3-0. Senior catcher Amber Grahlman singled to drive home freshman Deanna Richards and Vaca. In the next at-bat, sophomore third baseman Lacey Craft notched her first hit and RBI of the year to bring in freshman Bianca Cruz. Craft went 1-for-3 at the plate in the contest against the Wolf Pack to go along with two assists and two putouts.
Nevada was held scoreless by Aztec pitcher Celena Velasquez (5-2), who gave up just two hits in four innings of work, while striking out four, as she picked up her fifth win of the season. Freshman Deanna Richards came in on relief for Velasquez in the fifth inning, but walked Kristy Stevens to load the bases in the seventh. DeSanta entered the game and got the Aztecs out of the inning, but not before Cindy Elkins managed to cross home plate as Annie Stevens drew a walk to bring the runner home.
Earlier in the day, SDSU dropped a 2-1 decision to Iowa (11-5). The Aztecs scored first in that game when sophomore left fielder Erin Mahoney scored on an error by the Hawkeye first baseman to give San Diego State a 1-0 advantage in the first inning.
Iowa answered in the fifth frame, when Hawkeye Laura Chipman stole home before Amanda Hentges scored on an error by Aztec pitcher Bre DeSanta to put Iowa up for good, 2-1. DeSanta struck out seven batters in her complete-game effort and picked up just the third loss of her sophomore campaign.
SDSU returns to action tomorrow when it faces Eastern Kentucky at 9 a.m. followed by a 2 p.m. tilt with Iowa.