Softball

Maeva Leads Aztec Softball to Split at the Cathedral City Classic

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Feb. 25, 2010

Game 1: No. 12/9 Oklahoma 4, SDSU 0 html | pdf
Game 2:
SDSU 3, Fordham 1 html | pdf

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -

Sophomore Justeen Maeva (San Diego/Mira Mesa HS/Cal State Bakersfield) homered and drove in all three runs to lift the San Diego State softball team to a 3-1 victory over Fordham Thursday at the Cathedral City Classic. The victory stopped a four-game losing streak for the Aztecs (8-5), who lost to No. 12/9 Oklahoma, 4-0, earlier in the day.

After managing just one hit in the opener against the Sooners (10-1 after defeating Pacific, 9-0), SDSU came out swinging in the nightcap against the Rams, who were coming off a 4-0 victory over No. 24/19 Texas A&M. Junior Traci Wolf (Lancaster, Calif.) singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the first inning and stole second two batters later. Maeva followed with a single to give San Diego State the early 1-0 lead.

Erin Fisher answered for Fordham in the second with a one-out solo home run.

In her next at-bat in the fourth, Maeva drilled a one-out solo homer over the center field wall.

The Aztecs used small ball in the sixth for their final run. Sophomore Felicia Reifschneider (San Diego/Morse HS) led off with an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by redshirt senior Monica Alnes (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.). Maeva then sent the 3-2 pitch through the left side for the final run of the game.

SDSU had other chances throughout the game, including a runner on third base with one out in both the third and fifth inning, but couldn't get another run across home plate.

Maeva's three hits tied a career high, while her three RBI tied a season high. Junior Jessica Camello (Temecula, Calif.) doubled, while classmate Jen Wisneski (Riverside, Calif.) joined Wolf and Reifschneider with singles.

Redshirt sophomore Brooke Petty (San Diego/Vista HS) picked up her first win of the season after allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings. She struck out four to improve to 1-0. Junior Samantha Beasley (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) gave up one hit, while striking out four over the final 2 2/3 innings to earn her first save of the season and eighth of her career (second most in school history).

In the opener, San Diego State and Oklahoma played scoreless ball for five and a half innings until an Aztec fielding error with two outs extended the bottom of the sixth for the Sooners. Back-to-back two-run singles by Brianna Turanga and Katie Norris gave Oklahoma the 4-0 lead, one it would never relinquish.

A pinch-hit single in the top of the sixth by freshman Kamerin May (Corona, Calif.) broke up a perfect game pitched by the reigning USA Softball National Player of the Week Keilani Ricketts.

Beasley (5-3) took the loss after giving up four runs (all unearned) on six hits and a walk over six innings. She struck out seven.

SDSU continues its play in the Cathedral City Classic Friday with games against (rv/rv) Baylor (12:30 p.m. PT) and No. 24/19 Texas A&M (5:30 p.m. PT).