Feb. 11, 2012
Game 1: No. 14/9 Tennessee 6, rv/rv San Diego State 5 html | PDF
Game 2: rv/rv San Diego State 3, rv/23 Georgia Tech 2 html | PDF
TEMPE, Ariz. - Sophomore Lorena Klopp (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) homered and drove in all three runs and senior Bailey Micetich (Woodland, Calif.) struck out nine to lift the San Diego State softball team to a 3-2 victory over rv/No. 23 Georgia Tech, giving the Aztecs (3-2) a split against nationally ranked teams Saturday at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Earlier in the day, SDSU fell to No. 14/9 Tennessee, 6-5, despite outhitting the Vols (3-1), 13-7.
With the home run, her third of the year, Klopp became the school's all-time leader with 18 just five games into her second season. She broke the career record, formerly held by four-year players Megan McDonald (2005-08) and Erryn Gutjahr (1996-99).
Klopp's homer came in the bottom of the first inning one batter after sophomore Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif.) led off with a double.
The Yellow Jackets (3-1), who had beaten Oregon State, No. 8/8 Arizona and Cal Poly so far at the Kajikawa Classic, answered in the top of the fifth after a San Diego State error kept the inning alive. Kate Kuzma later scored on an infield single by Ashley Thomas.
The Aztecs responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame. Freshman Kayla Jordan (San Diego/Bonita Vista HS) beat out an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Felicia Reifschneider (San Diego/Morse HS). After a strikeout and a four-pitch walk by junior Tiffany Corder (San Clemente, Calif./UC Santa Barbara), Klopp doubled to right field to score Jordan with the eventual game winner.
Shannon Bear singled home Alysha Rudnik in the sixth for Georgia Tech, but Micetich (2-0) retired the final four batters she faced to give SDSU the win.
Micetich allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits over seven innings. She struck out a season-high nine against one walk. On the year, Micetich has 21 strikeouts with just one walk.
In the opener, San Diego State jumped out to a 2-0 lead and a 4-1 advantage, but couldn't hold off Tennessee in the 6-5 loss. The Aztecs outhit the Vols, 13-7, but left nine runners on base.
Redshirt sophomore Patrice Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) continued her hot start to the season, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a solo homer. It was the third consecutive game with a homer for Jackson, who missed last season with a broken leg. Jackson did not hit a home run as a freshman in 2010.
Jordan and junior Kristin May (Corona, Calif.) each had three hits for SDSU. Jordan doubled and had three RBIs, while May had a solo homer and a double. Senior Ashley Rose (Antioch, Calif.) doubled and drove in the other run for San Diego State.
Junior Kamerin May (Corona, Calif.) (1-2) took the loss after giving up a run on three hits and three walks over 1 1/3 innings of relief. She struck out three. Micetich earned the start and later came back into the game in a relief role. Altogether, she scattered five runs (four earned) on four hits and two hit batters. She struck out six without allowing a walk.
The Aztecs wrap up their play in the Kajikawa Classic at 1:30 p.m. MT Sunday with a game against No. 16/11 Oregon.
Kajikawa Classic - Tempe, Ariz.
February 11, 2012
Game 1: No. 14/9 Tennessee 6, (rv/rv) San Diego State 5
Tennessee (3-1) 001 041 0 -- 6 7 1
San Diego State 020 210 0 -- 5 13 2
I. Renfroe, E. Renfroe (5) and Akamine, Andrews (4); Micetich, Ka. May (6), Micetich (7) and Kr. May
W - E. Renfroe, 3-0; L - Ka. May (1-2)
HR: Tennessee, Tarango (1), Brown (1); San Diego State, Jackson (3), Kr. May (2)
Game 2: (rv/rv) San Diego State 3, (rv/23) Georgia Tech 2
Georgia Tech (3-1) 000 011 0 -- 2 6 0
San Diego State (3-2) 200 010 x -- 3 6 1
Rush and Rudnik; Micetich and Kr. May
W - Micetich, 2-0; L - Rush, 1-1
HR: San Diego State, Klopp (3)