April 13, 2014
FRESNO, Calif, -
SDSU 2, FRESNO STATE 0 (9 INNINGS) | VIDEO REPLAY
Sophomore Danielle O'Toole (Upland, Calif.) allowed just two hits over 8 1/3 innings to help the San Diego State softball team beat Fresno State, 2-0, in nine innings Sunday in Fresno, Calif. The Aztecs, who are receiving votes in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, improved to 29-11 on the season and 6-3 in Mountain West play, just a half game behind the league-leading Bulldogs (23-14, 8-4 MW).
O'Toole (21-5) retired the first 19 batters she faced before Brooke Ortiz had a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Ortiz stole second base, O'Toole got Michelle Solomon to pop up to junior shortstop Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif.). Stesha Brazil, however, followed with a high chopper to O'Toole, who as she turned to make the throw, rolled her ankle and had to leave the game. Freshman Erica Romero (Corona, Calif.) replaced O'Toole and got SDSU out of the jam by getting Vonnie Martin to ground out to senior second baseman Katie Mathis (Grass Valley, Calif.).
Romero got Whitney Smith out to start the eighth, but gave up a double to Paige Gumz and hit Kelly Megee. O'Toole came back into the game and struck out Kierra Willis looking and Brenna Moss swinging to end the threat.
San Diego State finally broke through with two runs off FS pitcher Jillian Compton in the top of the ninth. Senior Patrice Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Kayla Bufardeci (Castro Valley, Calif.). Junior Jacki Campa (La Verne, Calif.) pinch ran for Jackson and scored when freshman Jaylene Ignacio (Oceanside/El Camino HS) ripped a double off the left field wall. Miles followed with a single and freshman Frankie Orlando (Roseville, Calif.) made it bases loaded when she reached on a fielder's choice sac bunt. Senior Dominique Dinner (Monterey, Calif.) then singled to center field to score Ignacio. Hannah Harris relieved Compton and induced a double play, giving Fresno State one last shot at O'Toole.
O'Toole was up to the challenge, retiring the Bulldogs in order on a groundout, popout and another groundout, sealing the win for the Aztecs.
For the game, O'Toole allowed just the two singles over 8 1/3 innings. She struck out five without issuing a walk. Romero gave up one hit and hit a batter in 2/3 innings of relief.
Jackson led the SDSU offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Miles added two hits.
San Diego State returns to Montezuma Mesa for a weekend series with Utah State, beginning at 6 p.m. PT Thursday.
San Diego State 2, Fresno State 0 (9 innings)
San Diego State (29-11, 6-3 MW) 000 000 002 -- 2 7 0
Fresno State (23-14, 8-4 MW) 000 000 000 -- 0 3 0
O'Toole, Romero (7), O'Toole (8) and Orlando; Compton, Harris (9) and Gumz
W - O'Toole, 21-5; L - Compton, 14-7