March 9, 2017
FULLERTON, Calif. - The San Diego State softball team saw its four-game winning streak snapped in a 2-0 loss at Cal State Fullerton Thursday night at the Louisville Slugger Classic.
The game was a pitcher's duel between Aztec (12-8) freshman Marissa Moreno (Torrance, Calif.) and Titan (10-11) senior transfer Kelsey Kessler. Moreno (6-3) allowed two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out five. Kessler (7-4), meanwhile, yielded just four hits and two walks in the complete game shutout, striking out four. SDSU junior Alex Formby (Orange, Calif.) relieved Moreno in the sixth and got the only batter she faced out.
San Diego State was shut out for just the second time this season and first time since the second game of the year, an 8-0 loss to then No. 8/8 UCLA on Feb. 10. The Aztecs left 10 runners on base and were just 3-for-16 (.188) with runners on base and 2-for-10 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
SDSU's first good chance to score came in the fifth inning when junior Zaria Meshack (Vallejo, Calif.) singled with one out and stole second. After a single by redshirt freshman Kiera Wright (Riverside, Calif.), which held Meshack at second, and a flyout by sophomore Katie Byrd (Santee, Calif./West Hills HS), Meshack and Wright moved up a base on a passed ball. CSF pitcher Kessler, however, got San Diego State junior Jenavee Peres (Garden Grove, Calif.) to ground out to second base to end the threat.
Cal State Fullerton responded in the bottom of the fifth when Mikaela Francis' two-out, pinch-hit single scored pinch runner Ariana Williams from second base.
The Titans added a run in the sixth as a double by Trish Parks plated Samantha Vandiver.
The Aztecs made it interesting in the seventh when they loaded the bases on a walk, single and an error. Peres, however, popped up to first base and sophomore Molly Sturdivant (Santa Ana, Calif.) struck out to end the game with the 2-0 score.
Wright had two hits to lead the SDSU offense, while Meshack and senior Sydnee Cable (Huntington Beach, Calif.) also had singles.
San Diego State continues its play in the Louisville Slugger Invitational with games against Boston University (11:30 a.m. PT) and Harvard (2 p.m. PT) on Friday.
Cal State Fullerton 2, San Diego State 0
San Diego State (12-8) 000 000 0 -- 0 4 1
Cal State Fullerton (10-11) 000 011 x -- 2 5 3
Moreno, Formby (6) and Peres; Kessler and Padilla
W - Kessler, 7-4; L - Moreno, 6-3