Feb. 24, 2006
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State softball team won its second game of the Aztec Invitational with an 8-0 victory over Wagner in five innings Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium. SDSU improves to 7-3 overall, while Wagner fell to 0-2.
Freshman Erin Floros provided the Aztecs with the initial spark to take control of the game. The catcher belted a two-run home run in the first inning, her second of the season, and SDSU followed with two more runs in the inning. With the bases loaded, freshman first baseman Monica Alnes poked one up the middle into center field to score starting pitcher Melissa Owens. Later in the inning, a wild pitch would bring home sophomore third baseman Taryin Casillas, giving the Aztecs a 4-0 lead.
SDSU added another run in the second when Floros slapped a double down the left field line to score senior center fielder Meagan Hartung.
In the third, the Aztecs buried any hope of a Seahawk comeback. Alnes led off the inning with her first collegiate home run. Sophomore right fielder Kristen Carranza later singled to right field to score second baseman Allison Smith. Owens drew a bases loaded walk for SDSU's final run of the game.
In the circle, Owens (1-0) wasn't making things any easier for the Seahawks and earned her first career win in impressive fashion. She tossed a complete game shutout and struck out seven batters, and allowed just four hits and a walk.
Owens was backed by stellar defense all night long, including a heads-up play by Casillas at third base. With one out and the bases loaded, Casillas snagged a ground ball by Wagner shortstop Katie Stevens, tagged the runner on the way to home, and threw out Stevens by a step at first.
Floros finished the game 2-for-2 with a run scored and three RBI. Two other Aztecs had two-hit games, including Alnes and Carranza. Alnes was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, while Carranza finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
San Diego State returns to action at 3:45 p.m. Saturday against Kentucky at SDSU Softball Stadium in its fourth of five games at the 2006 Aztec Invitational.
NOTES: SDSU has scored first in all 10 games this season ... The Aztecs have clubbed 11 home runs through 10 games. Their single-season record is 19, set by the 1999 squad ... Nine of SDSU's 10 starters (including the designated player) were underclassmen (freshmen or sophomores) ... In the Aztecs' seven wins this year, they have outscored their opponents, 51-8 ... CF Meagan Hartung's three runs scored tied her career high ... 1B Monica Alnes hit her first career home run in the third inning ... The game (1 hour, 35 minutes) was SDSU's shortest this season.