March 1, 2006
SAN DIEGO - Freshman pitcher Melissa Owens threw a complete game one-hitter to lead the San Diego State softball team past San Diego, 8-0, in six innings at USD Softball Complex on Wednesday night. SDSU won its fifth consecutive game and improved to 10-3, tying last year's team with its best start in school history.
Owens (2-0) struck out a career-high eight batters and did not allow a walk in the game. She retired the final 12 batters she faced after giving up a leadoff double in the third inning. In 14.0 innings this season, she has allowed only one earned run for an ERA of 0.50.
The Aztecs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning after freshman Monica Alnes (walk), sophomore Taryin Casillas (single) and freshman Melissa Owens (single) all reached safely to load the bases. Following a wild pitch by San Diego pitcher Erin Harmonson that allowed Alnes to score, sophomore Chrissie Markham ripped a single off Harmonson's leg and into the outfield, plating both Casillas and Owens.
Two innings later, SDSU used small ball to get its fourth run of the game. Markham walked and advanced to second on senior Bree Boyer's sacrifice bunt. Senior Meagan Hartung followed with a single to right field, putting runners on the corners. Sophomore Kristen Carranza then singled on a perfectly-placed bunt down the third base line to score Markham.
The Aztecs tacked on four more runs in the sixth on a two-run double by freshman Erin Floros, an RBI single by Alnes, and an RBI double by Casillas.
Casillas led the SDSU offensive attack with three hits (3-for-4) and an RBI, while Hartung (2-for-4) had her fourth two-hit game of the season. Markham added two RBI.
The Aztecs will host the five-team Aztec Classic this weekend, the third tournament played at SDSU Softball Stadium in the last four weeks. SDSU's first game will be against No. 23 Oregon at 2 p.m. Friday.
GAME NOTES: The Aztecs improved to 42-1 all-time against the Toreros and 23-0 at USD ... SDSU scored first for the 12th time in its 13 games ... The shutout was the Aztecs' fifth of the season ... In SDSU's 10 wins this season, it has outscored the opposition, 72-11 ... The Aztecs reached double-figures in hits (11) for the third straight game and fifth time this season ... SDSU is now 5-1 this season when not recording an error ... SS Chrissie Markham's nine RBI this season have come off three hits ... LF Bree Boyer moved into sole possession of eight place with her 31st career sacrifice hit ... The eight strikeouts by RHP Melissa Owens are the most by an Aztec this season.