Feb. 9, 2005
SAN DIEGO -
<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>San Diego State went six innings without posing much of a threat against cross-town rival San Diego, but when the opportunity to score came, the Aztecs found a way, pulling out the win, 2-0. SDSU improves to 6-0 on the season, tied for the best start in program history, and 39-0 in the all-time series with the Toreros. USD falls to 1-2, all against universities in San Diego.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
"It was one of those games where you have to make your own breaks", head coach Kathy Van Wyk said. "We didn't get some hard-hit balls to fall early, but we were able to bunch some things together when it counted."
Through six innings, it was a pitching battle between Torero starter Erin Harmonson (1-1) and Aztec hurler Cori Janelli (3-0). Harmonson limited SDSU to two hits a walk while Janelli gave up five hits, but in the top of the seventh SDSU turned a leadoff single and a pair of extra base hits into two runs, and the win.
Senior catcher Danielle Touhey started the inning off with a single to center field and her pinch runner, freshman Tamani Wells, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Megan McDonald. Kristen Carranza then stepped up and hit a screamer just inside the bag at first and got into the right-field corner for an RBI triple. Senior first baseman Lacey Craft later scored on a double from leftfielder Bree Boyer to net the Aztecs second and final run.
"Our freshmen just continue to impress," Van Wyk said. "They have been clutch for us early this season, and Carranza's triple is evidence of that."
USD chased Janelli from the game in the bottom of the seventh after a hit and an error left runners on second and third with one out, but Celena Velasquez came in and struck out the next two Toreros to earn her second save of the year.
"Cori (Janelli) pitched an outstanding game for us," Van Wyk said. "She kept it scoreless and gave us the chance for the win."
The Aztecs now travel to Palo Alto, Calif. Feb. 11-13, and the Stanford Tournament, where the host No. 6 Cardinal, plus No. 21 Long Beach State, Kentucky, DePaul and Cal Poly await. First game for SDSU is set for 11 a.m. against the Wildcats from the Southeastern Conference.