Feb. 28, 2015
Game 1: SDSU 3, Iowa State 0 html | pdf
Game 2: No. 2/2 Oregon 7, SDSU 3 html | pdf
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State softball split a pair of games Saturday night at the San Diego Classic I, shutting out Iowa State, 3-0, before falling to No. 2/2 Oregon, 7-3, in the nightcap. The Aztecs' (11-7) loss to the Ducks (16-2) was their first at SDSU Softball Stadium this season (7-1).
In the opener, SDSU used a complete game shutout from sophomore Erica Romero (Corona, Calif.) and timely hitting by its freshmen en route to a 3-0 victory over the Cyclones (11-4).
Romero (9-5) scattered six hits (all singles) and two walks over seven scoreless innings, while striking out two. It was the third shutout of the season by the right-hander.
San Diego State took the lead in the bottom of the second inning with a little small ball. Senior Lorena Bauer (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) led off with a single up the middle and was replaced by junior Victoria Kobold (Concord, Calif.) at first base. Kobold moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by junior Kayla Bufardeci (Castro Valley, Calif.) and reached third on a wild pitch. Freshman Taylor Stewart (Bellflower, Calif.) followed with a single to right-center field to put the Aztecs on the scoreboard.
ISU threatened in the third as Rachel Hartman and Sammie Hildreth had back-to-back singles. After Romero struck out Brittany Gomez, Kelsey McFarland singled to center field and Hartman rounded third and headed home, but SDSU senior center fielder Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif.) threw a laser home to freshman catcher Jenavee Peres (Garden Grove, Calif.), who blocked home plate and got Hartman out at home. Romero then induced Lexi Slater to fly out to right field to end the inning.
San Diego State added to its lead in the fourth when Bufardeci had a one-out ground-rule double and was pinch run for by senior Jacki Campa (La Verne, Calif.). One batter later, Peres ripped a 1-1 pitch well over the left-center field fence for a two-run homer.
Iowa State got two runners on in the seventh with two outs, but Romero ended the game on a fielder's choice groundout.
In the nightcap, the Aztecs and UO battled over light rain and a 12-minute rain delay, before the visitors held onto the 7-3 win.
The Ducks took a 6-0 lead with one run in the top of the first, three in the second and two more in the third, before SDSU got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Senior Kayla Jordan (San Diego/Chula Vista HS) laced a one-out double down the right field line and got to third on a passed ball. On the very next pitch, Jordan took advantage of a wild pitch with the team's first run of the game.
Oregon tacked on another run in the top of the fifth, but San Diego State responded with two more runs in the bottom half. Junior Samantha Camello (Temecula, Calif.) led off with a single to left-center field, but was ruled out on a fielder's choice groundout by junior Monica Downey (San Diego/Madison HS). Jordan then took the second pitch she saw (0-1) over the right field wall for her first home run of the season and 11th of her career (T-10th all-time in school history).
The Aztecs got a runner on in both the sixth and seventh, respectively, but never reached scoring position in the 7-3 setback.
Jordan led the SDSU offense with two hits, two RBIs and two runs, while junior Leia Ruiz (Chino, Calif.) singled and drew a walk. Camello had San Diego State's other hit.
Sophomore left-hander Sydnee Cable (Huntington Beach, Calif.) took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings, while striking out one. Stewart pitched the final four innings, surrendering one unearned run on a hit and five walks.
The Aztecs continue their tough non-conference schedule Sunday against No. 1/1 Florida at 11:30 a.m. PT. It will be the seventh top-25 opponent that SDSU will face so far this season (in 19 games).
San Diego Classic I
SDSU Softball Stadium - San Diego, Calif.
February 28, 2015
Game 1: San Diego State 3, Iowa State 0
Iowa State (11-4) 000 000 0 -- 0 6 0
San Diego State 010 200 x -- 3 6 0
Roggentien and Hildreth; Romero and Peres
W - Romero, 9-5; L - Roggentien, 3-2
HR: San Diego State, Peres (2)
Game 2: No. 2/2 Oregon 7, San Diego State 3
Oregon (16-2) 132 010 0 -- 7 8 2
San Diego State (11-7) 001 020 0 -- 3 4 2
Hawkins, Glasco (5) and Lindvall; Cable, Stewart (4) and Orlando
W - Hawkins, 6-2; L - Cable, 2-2; SV - Glasco, 2
HR: Oregon, Costa (4); San Diego State, Jordan (1)