March 2, 2018
SAN DIEGO - Katie Byrd's two-out, bases loaded triple in the bottom of the fourth inning propelled the San Diego State softball team past No. 21/20 Minnesota, 6-2, en route to a Friday night split at the San Diego Classic I at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (8-11), however, lost the nightcap to CSUN, 2-0.
In the opener, SDSU broke a 2-2 tie with four runs in the fourth, highlighted by Byrd's bases loaded triple and Molly Sturdivant's subsequent single.
San Diego State had taken a 1-0 lead in the second when Alizae Umi's first career hit (single) plated Shelby Thompson.
The Golden Gophers (11-5) answered in the top of the third as McKenna Partain hit a two-run home run over the right-field wall. UM later loaded the bases in the inning, but Aztec starting pitcher Marissa Moreno got out of the jam by getting Maddie Houlihan to ground into a fielder's choice as Sydney Dwyer was forced out at second base.
SDSU tied it in the bottom of the third when Sturdivant had a two-out single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Taylor Adams.
Minnesota wouldn't threaten again until the seventh when it got two runners on with one out, but Alex Formby, who relieved Moreno in the fourth, got Danielle Parlich to ground into a fielder's choice to second and struck out NFCA All-American Kendyl Lindaman swinging to end the game.
Formby (5-5) got the win after tossing four scoreless innings, striking out four with just one hit allowed. Moreno yielded two runs on four hits and two walks over three innings, while striking out two.
Byrd and Sturdivant had two hits apiece for to lead the San Diego State offense, which outhit the Golden Gophers, 8-5, while Umi had a single, RBI, run and a walk.
Unlike the opener, the Aztecs were unable to get their bats going in the nightcap against the Matadors (7-11). SDSU had only five hits, including a leadoff double by Taylor Adams in the bottom of the fifth. CSUN pitcher Taylor Troost, however, struck out Iesha Hill and Umi swinging, and Aris Metcalfe looking to strand Adams at second in the inning.
San Diego State also left two runners on in the third with one out and two on in the seventh, finishing the game 0-for-6 with runners in scoring positon.
The Matadors got their first run in the third on a ground-rule double by Megan Stevens which scored Savannah Horvath and in the seventh on leadoff homer by Horvath.
Adams had two of the Aztecs' five hits in the defeat.
Moreno (2-4) took the loss after allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings, striking out three. Formby pitched the final 4 1/3 innings, surrendering one run on three hits and a walk, recording three strikeouts.
NOTE I
In the opener, SDSU improved to 2-2 on the season against nationally ranked teams. San Diego State now has wins over No. 21/20 Minnesota and rv/No. 25 Notre Dame.
NOTE II
RHP Alex Formby gave up a leadoff homer in the seventh inning, snapping her career long streak of 23 2/3 innings without giving up a run (earned or unearned).
UP NEXT
The Aztecs continue their play in the San Diego Classic I on Saturday against Boston Univ. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
Game 1: San Diego State 6, No. 21/20 Minnesota 2
Minnesota (11-5) 002 000 0 -- 2 5 1
San Diego State 011 400 x -- 6 8 2
Smith, Fiser (4), Brandt (5) and Jensen; Moreno, Formby (4) and Umi
W - Formby, 5-5; L - Smith, 2-3
Game 2: CSUN 2, San Diego State 0
CSUN (7-11) 001 000 1 -- 2 5 0
San Diego State (8-11) 000 000 0 -- 0 5 2
Troost and Rascon; Moreno, Formby (3) and Umi
W - Troost, 3-4; L - Moreno, 2-4