Feb. 23, 2008
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Junior All-American Erin Floros (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel HS) singled home junior Tonye McCorkle (Santa Ana Heights, Calif.) in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the 25th-ranked San Diego State softball team to a 3-2 win over No. 3/2 Northwestern late Friday night. The win was the ninth straight for the Aztecs, who are off to their best start in school history at 11-1, and second of the day against a 2007 Women's College World Series opponent. Earlier in the night, SDSU defeated defending NCAA champion Arizona, 2-1.
Floros' game-winner came after McCorkle drew a one-out walk and moved to third on an infield single by senior Tamani Wells (Concord, Calif.) and a throwing error by Wildcat (5-1) shortstop Tammy Williams. Following a flyout by freshman Jen Wisneski (Riverside, Calif.), Floros blooped the 1-2 pitch just out of the reach of the diving Williams, giving San Diego State the 3-2 win.
SDSU jumped out of the gate with two runs in the first inning. McCorkle drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on an infield single by Wells. Both runners then moved up a bag on a groundout by Wisneski. With Knudsen at the plate with a 3-1 count, an illegal pitch was called on Northwestern hurler Jessica Smith, allowing McCorkle to score, Wells move to third and Knudsen reach on the walk. Senior Megan McDonald (Glendale, Ariz.) followed with a single up the middle to give San Diego State the early 2-0 lead.
The Wildcats answered with two runs in the top of the fourth, both with two outs. Erin Dyer got their first run on a solo homer, while younger sister Kelly Dyer tied the game up later in the inning after scoring from third on an Aztec throwing error.
SDSU looked like it was going to take the lead in the sixth when Knudsen hit a leadoff double and moved to third on a well-placed bunt by McDonald. Northwestern relief pitcher Lauren Delaney, however, retired sophomore Janae Portugal (San Diego, Calif./Westview HS) on an 11-pitch fly out to right and got freshman Jessica Camello (Temecula, Calif.) to strike out looking, stranding Knudsen on third.
Wells went 3-for-4 with a stolen base to lead the offense, while McCorkle drew two walks and scored a run.
Freshman Samantha Beasley (San Diego, Calif./Steele Canyon HS) started in the circle for the Aztecs and struck out five in 3 2/3 innings. She allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk. Senior Christina Ross (7-1) picked up her second win of the night after tossing 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. She gave up two hits and struck out seven.
Earlier in the night, Ross struck out a season-high 11 batters to lead San Diego State to a 2-1 upset over defending NCAA champion Arizona.
Ross, who was named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday, allowed one unearned run on seven hits and two walks over seven innings. Her 11 strikeouts are one short of her career high.
Knudsen had two hits to pace the Aztec offense, while Wells added her fourth double of the season.
SDSU will continue its play in the Palm Springs Classic on Saturday with games against No. 6/8 Oklahoma (3 p.m.) and No. 18/19 Georgia (5:30 p.m.).