March 5, 2016
Game 1: UIC 6, SDSU 4 html | pdf
Game 2: SJU 3, SDSU 1 html | pdf
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State dropped a pair of two-run games Saturday night at the San Diego Classic I at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (11-7), who defeated No. 11/9 Texas A&M, 10-5, last night, first fell to UIC, 6-4, and then were edged by Saint Joseph's by a 3-1 margin.
In the opener, SDSU committed a season-high five errors, which led to two unearned runs, in a 6-4 loss to the Flames (11-8).
Down 6-2 after UIC (11-8) scored two in the top of the seventh, San Diego State mounted a comeback with two outs. First, sophomore Jenavee Peres (Garden Grove, Calif.) reached on an error, which allowed classmate Zaria Meshack (Vallejo, Calif.) to score. Redshirt freshman Katie Byrd (Santee, Calif./West Hills HS) followed with a single through the left side to plate Peres. UIC pitcher Elaine Heflin, however, got SDSU junior Frankie Orlando (Roseville, Calif.) to ground out to secure the win.
The Flames took an early 2-0 lead with an infield RBI single in the first and scoring on a San Diego State error in the second.
The Aztecs got on the scoreboard in the second when junior Sam Vlot (Chowchilla, Calif.) scored on a groundout by junior Jaylene Ignacio (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino HS).
SDSU then tied it in the third as Orlando poked a single to right field to knock in senior Samantha Camello (Temecula, Calif.).
UIC plated two more runs in the fourth on a pair of singles and took a 6-2 lead in the seventh on a key, two-out single by Laura Swan.
Camello had a hit, two walks, a stolen base and a run to pace the San Diego State offense, while Byrd registered two hits and an RBI.
Freshman Julie McDonald (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings, while striking out two. Junior Ashley Ercolano (Poway, Calif./Poway HS) pitched the middle 2 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and two hits, while senior Erica Romero (Corona, Calif.) yielded one hit and struck out two in the seventh inning.
In the nightcap, the Aztecs and Hawks (6-7) each had two hits apiece, but were just 2-for-13 (.154) with runners on base, including a 2-for-9 (.222) effort with runners in scoring position in the 3-1 loss.
SDSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as senior Leia Ruiz (Chino, Calif.) hit a one-out single and moved to second on a groundout by Camello. Peres followed with a single to left field, where the SJU left fielder Amanda Kulp's throw missed the cutoff person and allowed Ruiz to scamper home.
Saint Joseph's tied it in the fourth with Sarah Yoos and Taryn Grober reaching with a walk and single, respectively, with two outs. Hannah Dionne then ripped a double off the center-field wall to score Yoos with the tying runs. After a walk to load the bases, Romero (6-2) replaced Formby in the circle and struck out Madison Clarke to end the threat.
The Hawks took the lead for good in the fifth with a two-out, two-run homer by Brandi Harkness on a 3-2 pitch.
San Diego State left the bases loaded in the sixth and went in order in the seventh to suffer its second setback of the day.
Peres and freshman Molly Sturdivant (Santa Ana, Calif.) had two hits apiece for the Aztecs, and sophomore Taylor Stewart (Bellflower, Calif.) drew a pair of walks.
Formby started the game and allowed one run on three hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings, striking out two. Romero scattered two runs on four hits over the final 2 1/3 innings, while striking out five.
SDSU wraps up the San Diego Classic I at 3 p.m. PST Sunday against Portland State.
San Diego Classic I
San Diego, Calif. - SDSU Softball Stadium
March 5, 2016
Game 1: UIC 6, San Diego State 4
UIC (11-8) 110 200 2 -- 6 10 4
San Diego State 011 000 2 -- 4 7 5
Heflin and Nagle; McDonald, Ercolano (4), Romero (7) and Orlando, Peres (4)
W - Heflin, 6-4; L - McDonald, 1-1
Game 2: Saint Joseph's 3, San Diego State 1
San Diego State (11-7) 100 000 0 -- 1 7 1
Saint Joseph's (6-7) 000 120 x -- 3 7 1
Formby, Romero (4) and Peres; Clarke and Zierke
W - Clarke, 3-2; L - Romero, 6-2
HR: Saint Joseph's, Harkness (3)
Other Saturday Scores
at SDSU
Boston Univ. 11, Utah Valley 4
Saint Joseph's 7, Utah Valley 2
UIC 5, Portland State 4
at USD
Pittsburgh 11, Grand Canyon 3 (6 inn.)
No. 11/9 Texas A&M 2, Grand Canyon 1
Pittsburgh 8, San Diego 6
No. 11/9 Texas A&M 21, San Diego 0 (5 inn.)