Feb. 9, 2008
SDSU 3, Cal Poly 0 (9 innings)
SDSU 7, California 0
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -
SDSU 3, Cal Poly 0 (9 innings)
The San Diego State softball team picked up two impressive victories in its first games of the season Friday night at the Cathedral City Kickoff in Cathedral City, Calif. The Aztecs defeated Cal Poly, 3-0, in nine innings before shutting out California, 7-0, in the nightcap. Both the Mustangs and Bears were receiving votes in the preseason national polls.
Game One - San Diego State 3, Cal Poly 0 (9 innings)
After struggling to get a run across the board the first eight innings, San Diego State broke through for three in the ninth in a 3-0 win over Cal Poly. It was the Aztecs' eighth straight season-opening victory and 11th in head coach Kathy Van Wyk's 12 seasons.
The big inning started when sophomore Katy Erickson (Tustin, Calif.), who was placed on second base because of the international tiebreaker rule, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Megan McDonald (Glendale, Ariz.). Erickson scored on the ensuing play after junior Tonye McCorkle (Santa Ana Heights, Calif.) laced a line drive to left that bounced off the glove of Jenna Maiden, one of five Mustang errors in the game. McCorkle and redshirt junior Dani Sidoti (Tucson, Ariz.) added insurance runs later in the inning on another Cal Poly error.
Senior Christina Ross (Santa Clarita, Calif.) pitched a perfect ninth to seal SDSU's 3-0 victory. Ross allowed just four hits over nine innings, while striking out six for her 18th career shutout and 15th as an Aztec. She preserved the shutout by pitching herself out of two bases loaded jams and another with Mustang runners on second and third with one out.
McCorkle, who was playing in her first game as an Aztec after transferring from Syracuse, had two of team's four hits, while Sidoti and senior Tamani Wells (Concord, Calif.) each added singles.
Game 2 - San Diego State 7, California 0
After struggling offensively in the first game, San Diego State exploded out of the gate in the second, putting up seven runs over the first three innings en route to a 7-0 victory over California.
McCorkle and Wells led off the game with back-to-back singles and moved up a base on a wild pitch. Junior All-American Erin Floros (San Diego, Calif.) followed with a single to center to put the Aztecs up, 2-0.
McCorkle came through again in the second when she plated Sidoti and freshman Jeniffer Wisneski (Riverside, Calif.) with a single to left field.
In the third, sophomore Brittany Knudsen (San Diego, Calif.) (double), Sidoti (walk) and Marquez (single) each loaded up the bases for McCorkle. McCorkle singled home Knudsen, keeping the bases full for Wells. Wells continued SDSU's hit onslaught with a two-run double to right-center to give the Aztecs all the runs they would need as freshman Brooke Petty (San Diego, Calif.) was masterful in her pitching debut.
Petty went the distance, giving up three hits and no walks. She struck out three and allowed only one Bear to reach third base.
McCorkle and Wells each had two hits to lead the SDSU offense, while Sidoti drew three walks and scored two times.
San Diego State will continue its play in the Cathedral City Classic on Saturday with games against Mississippi State (3:30 p.m.) and UC Davis (6 p.m.).