Feb. 17, 2008
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State softball team defeated Utah State, 4-0, and UC Santa Barbara, 4-1, on the final day of the 18th annual Campbell/Cartier Classic Sunday afternoon at SDSU Softball Stadium. It was the sixth and seventh consecutive victories for the Aztecs, who are tied for their best start in school history at 9-1.
SDSU outscored its opponents, 22-3, over the perfect five-game weekend to claim its first-ever Campbell/Cartier Classic title. The Aztec pitching staff posted a 0.40 ERA with three shutouts over 35 innings, while the offense hit .310, stole 11 bases and posted a .404 on-base percentage. The defense also played well with three double-plays to their credit and some highlight plays by freshman Jen Wisneski (Riverside, Calif.), sophomore Brittany Knudsen (San Diego, Calif./Escondido HS) and senior Megan McDonald (Glendale, Ariz.).
In the first game, San Diego State received seven strong innings and a pair of hits from freshman Samantha Beasley (San Diego, Calif./Steele Canyon HS) in the 4-0 victory over the Aggies (2-7). In the circle, Beasley (2-0) struck out five, walked one and allowed just three hits for her second shutout in as many starts. At the plate, she doubled twice on a 2-for-2 day, scored a run and drew a walk.
Freshman Taylor Sutton (Gilroy, Calif.) added two hits, including an RBI triple, and scored a run, while junior Erin Floros (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel HS) (single) and Knudsen (sacrifice fly) each drove in a run.
In the nightcap, the Aztecs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and rode the arm of senior Christina Ross (Santa Clarita, Calif.) the rest of the way in a 4-1 triumph over the Gauchos (3-6).
The inning got started with junior transfer Tonye McCorkle (Santa Ana Heights, Calif.) and Knudsen each drawing walks. Floros then doubled down the right field line to plate McCorkle and was replaced at second by sophomore Stefanie Quichocho-Rosario (San Diego, Calif./Morse HS). Following an illegal pitch by UC Santa Barbara pitcher Lindsey Correa (2-2) that scored Knudsen, Wisneski singled through the left side to give SDSU a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Although San Diego State would add another run in the third on a Knudsen double to right-center which scored senior Tamani Wells (Concord, Calif.), it was not needed as Ross was once again on cruise control in the circle. The two-time all-Mountain West Conference performer scattered six hits and one run over seven innings. She added three strikeouts against one walk en route to improving her season record to 5-1. For the weekend, Ross went 4-0 with a 0.58 ERA in 24 innings.
Wisneski led the offense with two hits.
The Aztecs will look to continue their momentum when they travel to Palm Springs, Calif., for the second time in three weeks to play in the prestigious Palm Springs Classic. SDSU will play No. 1 Arizona at 3:30 p.m. Friday, before taking on perennial national powers Northwestern (8:30 p.m. Friday), Oklahoma (3 p.m. Saturday), Georgia (5:30 p.m. Saturday) and Baylor (9 a.m. Sunday).