April 30, 2005
San Diego -
In what has become familiar terrain for the 2005 <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>San Diego State softball team, the Aztecs were once again unable to convert key chances at critical moments and were swept by UNLV, 4-2 and 1-0, in a Mountain West Conference doubleheader Saturday at SDSU Stadium. SDSU falls to 1-15 in MWC play and 23-27 overall, while UNLV improves its conference record to 12-3, 36-16 overall.
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In game one, Rebel starter Jacque Kerrigan (24-13) pitched five no-hit innings, as UNLV raced to a 4-0 lead, adding a run in the fourth and three more in the sixth. However, the Aztecs were finally able to dent the scoreboard in their half of the sixth.
Danielle Touhey led off with a single down the right field line, breaking up Kerrigan's perfect game, and SDSU plated two runs as Kristen Carranza and Taryin Casillas lined consecutive RBI singles to cut the lead in half. After a passed ball, Kerrigan squelched the Aztec rally with a strike out and pop up.
Celena Velasquez (11-12) was the hard luck loser in both games, going the distance in game two, allowing just four baserunners and striking out seven Rebels. However, Marissa Nichols' solo home run in the top of the third provided the visitors with the winning margin in the nightcap.
Carranza led off the bottom of the second and reached on UNLV starter Shannon Crisp's throwing error, advancing to second on the play. After a Casillas sacrifice, Megan McDonald and Lacey Craft walked to load the bases. However, Carranza was forced out at home on a Dani Sidoti grounder. Another groundout followed to end the SDSU threat.
The Aztecs once again put runners in scoring position in the seventh inning. However, Kerrigan would come in to save the game for Crisp (12-2). With one out and runners on first and second, Kerrigan got pinch-hitter Amanda Beasley to ground out, advancing Meagan Hartung and Erin Mahoney to second and third respectively. Bree Boyer then walked to load the bases. However, Chrissie Markham fouled out to third base, ending another Aztec threat.
The Aztecs remain at home to wrap up the regular season with a pair of conference doubleheaders next weekend. SDSU will face New Mexico Fri. May 6 at 5 p.m., while Colorado State visits Sun. May 8 for a 1 p.m. start. Both games of the CSU twin bill will be televised nationally on College Sports Television (CSTV), available on Time Warner Digital Cable and DirecTV.
The following week SDSU will host the Mountain West Conference tournament May 12-14 at SDSU Stadium.