Feb. 4, 2005
SAN DIEGO -
The San Diego State softball team used timely hitting and shutdown pitching for a pair of victories, 8-2 over Saint Mary's and 8-0 against UC Davis, Friday night in day one of the Aztec Invitational at the SDSU softball field. SDSU (2-0) will continue play in the Invitational Saturday afternoon against No. 20 LBSU at <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>4:30 p.m. and UC Riverside at 7 p.m.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
"We came with some energy and enthusiasm today," head coach Kathy Van Wyk said. "Despite starting three freshmen in game one and four in game two, we got some of those timely hits that can be so hard to come by, and our pitching and defense was sound."
In the Aztecs' first game of the day, senior pitcher Cori Janelli allowed no runs while striking out four in five innings of work to pick up the win over Saint Mary's (0-2). Freshman Megan McDonald provided the offensive sparks in the game with a towering seventh inning homerun to left field, plating three runs.
"I was impressed that we were able to take a close game and put it away," Van Wyk said. "Those are the characteristics that you like to see in your team."
Senior Lacey Craft had a two-run double in the sixth to add to the SDSU offensive output. Senior Erin Mahoney added a pair of hits and freshman Dani Sidoti scored a pair of runs for the Aztecs, while sophomore transfer pitcher Katie Cochran provided a strong two innings of relief for SDSU. The Gaels were led by first baseman Claudia Williams who hit a two-run sixth inning homerun.
In game two, the Aztecs erupted for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for an 8-0 run-ruled victory over UC Davis (0-2). Two-time Mountain West Pitcher of the Year Celena Velasquez tossed a complete game for SDSU to pick up the win. Velasquez struck out six while walking none to shut down the Aggies' offense.
"Celena was Celena out there tonight," Van Wyk said. "But we showed that our offense is able to come out and take some pressure off of our pitchers and allow them to just pitch."
Craft finished off a 4-5 day from the plate with a pair of hits and two RBI. For the afternoon, Craft had four RBI, scored three runs and walked once. Freshman third baseman Allison Smith responded to her first start with a pair of hits and three RBI, including a sixth inning two-run triple. UC Davis was led by right fielder Lindsay Tognetti who went two for two with a double.
On the day, the Aztecs netted seven extra base hits, including two by Mahoney, 21 hits overall, one strikeout and four walks. The pitching staff stuck out 14, gave up nine hits and walked just two in 13 innings of work.