April 1, 2005
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -
<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>San Diego State softball continued its struggles at the plate and gave up three home runs to host Colorado State in the conference openers for both teams, 2-0 and 6-2. The Aztecs drop to 22-14 (0-2 in the MWC), while the Rams improve to 23-11 (2-0 in the MWC).<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
In game one, SDSU couldn't get the clutch hits, stranding nine runners, and CSU used an error and a home run to take the 2-0 victory. Cori Janelli (9-7) suffered the loss for the Aztecs, tossing six innings while allowing six hits and one walk. Jessica Strickland (9-5) picked up the win for the Rams.
CSU picked up a run in the third when Stephanie Roberts knocked a one-out single and advanced on a groundout. She scored when Strickland hit a single to right field and Dani Sidoti sent a perfect strike to home that catcher Megan McDonald allowed to bounce away.
The Rams picked up another run in the sixth on a leadoff home run from Brittany Huerta. SDSU stranded two or more runners in the game three times, including leaving the bases loaded in the top of the seventh. The Aztecs were led at the plate by Meagan Hartung, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base, and Allison Smith who was 2-for-3.
In the second game, CSU used a pair of three-run home runs by Strickland and Roberts off of starter Celena Velasquez, and a strong pitching performance from Genevieve Kelly, to pound SDSU 6-2.
Robert's home run came in the third after Kelly and Katie Dean led off the inning with singles. Strickland smacked her round-tripper in the fifth as Dean reached on a strikeout that got away from the catcher, and after one out, Jennifer Gardner singled.
In her worst outing of the year, Velasquez (10-6) pitched 4.2 innings, allowing all six runs and eight hits while striking out six. Katie Cochran pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing one hit. SDSU was led at the plate by Kristen Carranza, who was 2-for-3, Smith, who was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI, and Erin Mahoney, who was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
The Aztecs continue the conference-opening road trip with a doubleheader at New Mexico, game time set for noon PT.