March 21, 2008
FULLERTON, Calif. - The No. 22/25 San Diego State softball team scored four runs in the top of the 12th inning in a thrilling 9-5 victory over No. 19/18 Washington Thursday night in the first day of the prestigious Judy Garman Classic. It was the Aztecs' (25-9) fourth win over a 2007 Women's College World Series opponent this year and the longest game of the Judy Garman Classic since the 1992 season.
Senior pitcher Christina Ross (Santa Clarita, Calif.) was a beast in the circle once again for SDSU as she threw 224 pitches and all 12 innings, both career highs. She also tied her career-best with 12 strikeouts, while allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and seven walks. Ross, who was named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week for the fourth time this season on Tuesday, improved to 14-8 on the season.
Sophomore Lindsey Marquez (Tustin, Calif.) led the offense with a 3-for-3 outing at the plate and two RBI, two walks and a run scored. Junior Tonye McCorkle (Santa Ana Heights, Calif.) had two hits and drove in two runs, while freshman Jen Wisneski (Riverside, Calif.) had two RBI. Senior Tamani Wells (Concord, Calif.) also scored three times for San Diego State.
The game also featured a solid defensive effort for the Aztecs, including a pair of game-saving catches by Wells in left field, some pin-point throws by Wisneski at shortstop and junior Christine Kulick (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) at third base.
After struggling to get anything going the first three innings, SDSU finally got to Washington pitcher Aleah Macon in the fourth, scoring four runs, all with two outs. Wells led off with an infield single and it appeared she would stay there after consecutive pop outs by San Diego State batters. However, Marquez and senior Megan McDonald (Glendale, Ariz.) each followed with walks to load the bases for freshman Samantha Beasley (San Diego, Calif./Steele Canyon HS). Beasley, who hit a grand slam in her last at-bat with the bases loaded against San Diego on Tuesday, then drew a four-pitch walk to score Wells for the Aztecs' first run of the game.
With the bases still loaded, Kulick (RBI single) and Wisneski (two-run single) each came up with a clutch hits, stretching SDSU's advantage to four runs at 4-0.
The Huskies responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame on an RBI groundout by Alyson McWherter which plated Alicia Blake.
Ross ran into a bit of trouble in the fifth after allowing two runners to reach base on consecutive singles. Two batters later, Morgan Stuart launched a three-run homer over the left field fence to tie the game at 4-4.
In the sixth, sophomore Brittany Knudsen (San Diego, Calif./Escondido HS) hit a two-out double and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Washington left fielder. The Aztecs, however, were unable to get Knudsen across, keeping the score tied at 4-4.
After the game went to extra innings and the international tiebreaker came into effect, neither team failed to get a runner home on their first two chances, thanks to some solid defensive plays by both teams. Wells had two sliding catches in the left field and Wisneski had a nice throw home from shortstop. Also, Husky left fielder Marnie Kuziol threw Kulick out at home.
However, SDSU made things interesting in the top of the 10th when Wells was placed at second and McCorkle reached on a fielding error. After a strikeout, Marquez hit a long sacrifice fly to center to plate Wells.
In the bottom of the 10th, Washington tied the game when Dani Stuart singled and Blake scored on Aztec fielding error.
San Diego State failed to get a runner across the plate in the 11th, and the Huskies loaded the bases in their half without getting a hit. Ross, however, buckled down and struck out Blake with two outs.
The Aztecs then exploded for four runs in the 12th. Wisneski was placed on second and moved to third on Knudsen's fielder's choice. On the play, Knudsen used some heads-up base running by moving to second, putting two SDSU runners in scoring position. Wells attempted to sacrifice play but the Washington third baseman misplaced the bunt, loading the bases once again with no outs and San Diego State's 3-4-5 hitters looming. The heart of the order didn't disappoint as McCorkle (two-run single), junior Erin Floros (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel HS) (RBI groundout) and Marquez (RBI single) each drove in at least one run to give the Aztecs their second four-run lead of the game.
Ross then retired the Huskies in order to seal the victory.
SDSU continues its play in the Judy Garman Classic with a pair of tough games on Friday. San Diego State will take on No. 6/6 Michigan (1:30 p.m.) and No. 18/14 DePaul (6 p.m.).