Feb. 21, 2013
Game 1: No. 7/7 Missouri 2, SDSU 1 html | pdf
Game 2: Virginia 5, SDSU 2 html | pdf
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - The San Diego State softball team lost a pair of games Thursday on the opening day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. The Aztecs (6-6), who are receiving votes in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, fell to No. 7/7 Missouri, 2-1, in the opener before dropping a 5-2 decision to Virginia in the nightcap.
The opener was a pitcher's duel between SDSU's Danielle O'Toole (Upland, Calif.) and the Tigers' (7-0) Bailey Erwin.
O'Toole, a freshman left-hander, held Mizzou to two runs (one earned) on just four hits and three walks over six innings, while striking out four. Missouri came into the game outscoring its opponents, 56-8, over the first six games. Redshirt senior Rebecca Arbino (Clovis, Calif.) pitched the final scoreless inning, walking one and striking out two.
San Diego State took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when senior Kristin May (Corona, Calif.) singled in junior Stefani Polonia (Pico Rivera, Calif./Towson Univ.). Polonia was on base after replacing senior Kamerin May (Corona, Calif.) after a single. She then moved to third on a single by redshirt junior Patrice Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) and scored on Kristin May's single through the right side.
Missouri, however, answered with two runs in the fifth, thanks to a ground-rule, two-run double by Jenna Marston.
The Aztecs were unable to tie the game as Erwin finished with nine strikeouts over seven innings.
Jackson singled and walked, while sophomore Kayla Jordan (San Diego/Bonita Vista HS) and the May twins each added singles.
In the nightcap, SDSU outhit the Cavaliers (5-5), 8-6, but still lost, 5-2.
Jordan led off with a solo homer in the bottom of the first, her third of the season, to give San Diego State the early 1-0 lead.
Virginia answered with a four-run inning in the third on four hits, a walk and an Aztec error. The Cavaliers loaded the bases before Megan Harris singled home Kristen Hawkins. Peyton Larus then scored when Erica Cipolloni drew a five-pitch walk. Heidi Velk followed Larus home on a SDSU error and Harris later scored on a fielder's choice.
San Diego State halved Virginia's lead in the bottom of the third as redshirt freshman Victoria Kobold (Concord, Calif.) led off with a single, stole second and moved to third on a groundout by Jordan. Freshman Leia Ruiz (Chino, Calif.) then laced a single to right-center field to plate Kobold with the Aztecs' final run of the game.
The Cavaliers added an insurance run in the fourth when Hawkins led off with a homer.
SDSU left four on base the rest of the way and were unable to get another run across the plate.
Ruiz had two hits to pace the San Diego State offense, while six others added one hit apiece.
Arbino (5-3) took the loss, despite striking out 10 batters. The right-hander allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over seven innings.
The Aztecs continue their play in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic against Syracuse at 6 p.m. PT Friday.
Game 1: No. 7/7 Missouri 2, San Diego State 1
Missouri (7-0) 000 020 0 -- 2 4 1
San Diego State 000 100 0 -- 1 4 1
Erwin and Marston; O'Toole, Arbino (7) and Kr. May
W - Erwin, 3-0; L - O'Toole, 1-3
Game 2: Virginia 5, San Diego State 2
Virginia (5-5) 004 100 0 -- 5 6 1
San Diego State (6-6) 101 000 0 -- 2 8 1
Mitchell and Hawkins; Arbino and Connors, Kr. May (7)
W - Mitchell, 4-2; L - Arbino, 5-3
HR: Virginia, Hawkins; San Diego State, Jordan (3)