Feb. 9, 2013
Game 1: SDSU 5, Western Michigan 1 html | pdf
Game 2: No. 13/14 Arizona 3, SDSU 2 html | pdf
TEMPE, Ariz. - Junior Lorena Bauer (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) had two home runs and five RBIs over two games, but the San Diego State softball team had to settle for a split Saturday at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The Aztecs (3-2) won the opener, 5-1, over Western Michigan, before being edged by No. 13/14 Arizona, 3-2, in the nightcap.
In the opener, SDSU spotted the Broncos an early lead in the top of the first inning and then scored five unanswered runs for the 5-1 win.
San Diego State's first run came in the bottom of the first as sophomore Kayla Jordan (San Diego/Bonita Vista HS) moved into scoring position with a leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt by freshman Leia Ruiz (Chino, Calif.). Senior Kamerin May (Corona, Calif.), who was 5-for-6 yesterday over two games, then followed with a triple to right field.
In the fourth, redshirt junior Patrice Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) singled up the middle and was replaced by junior Stefani Polonia (Pico Rivera, Calif.). The pinch runner wouldn't matter, however, as Bauer blasted a home run over the center field fence on the first pitch she saw.
The following inning, Ruiz drew a leadoff walk and stole second. May was hit by a pitch (and sophomore Jacki Campa (La Verne, Calif.) replaced her) and Jackson drew a walk to load the bases. Bauer doubled down the left field line to score Ruiz and Campa and move Jackson to third. The Aztecs, however, were unable to score any more runs in the inning.
The offense was plenty for redshirt senior right-hander Rebecca Arbino (Clovis, Calif.). Arbino allowed just three hits and no walks over six scoreless innings of relief, while striking out five. Bauer got the start and gave up one run on three hits and two walks over one inning.
In the nightcap, SDSU lost a heartbreaker to the Wildcats (3-1) on a walkoff home run by Brigette Del Ponte in the bottom of the seventh inning. San Diego State had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before UA kept rallying back.
Bauer got the Aztecs on the board in the second with a leadoff home run.
Arizona tied it up in their half of the second when Chelsea Goodacre scored on a single by Darcy Taylor.
In the fifth, Jordan scored on a sacrifice fly by Jackson to put SDSU back up by a score of 2-1.
The Wildcats, who advanced to the Women's College World Series last year, tied it again in the bottom of the fifth when Kelsey Rodriguez' singled knocked in Hallie Wilson.
San Diego State got a runner on in the sixth and seventh, but were unable to get across the go ahead run.
UA, meanwhile, left two on in the sixth before Del Ponte ended the game in the seventh with a one-out solo homer on a 2-2 pitch.
Freshman Monica Downey (San Diego/Madison HS) was 3-for-3 to lead the Aztec offense. May had two doubles and finished the weekend leading SDSU with a .471 batting average (8-for-17), while Bauer homered and drew a four-pitch walk.
Arbino (3-1) took the loss after allowing one run on four hits over two innings of relief. She struck out one without issuing a walk. Freshman Danielle O'Toole (Upland, Calif.) started the game and gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings. She had six strikeouts and just one walk.
San Diego State plays host to the prestigious 23rd annual Campbell/Cartier Classic this weekend, beginning with a Thursday game against Kentucky at 6 p.m. PT.
Game 1: San Diego State 5, Western Michigan 1
Western Michigan (1-3) 100 000 0 -- 1 6 0
San Diego State 100 220 x -- 5 6 3
Shepeck, Shemberger and Stamm; Bauer, Arbino (2) and Kr. May
W - Arbino, 3-0; L - Shepeck, 0-1
HR: San Diego State, Bauer (3)
Game 2: No. 13/14 Arizona 3, San Diego State 2
San Diego State (3-2) 010 010 0 -- 2 8 1
No. 13/14 Arizona (3-1) 010 010 1 -- 3 10 0
O'Toole, Arbino (5) and Kr. May; Babcock and Rodriguez
W - Babcock, 3-2; L - Arbino, 3-1
HR: San Diego State, Bauer (4); Arizona, Del Ponte.