April 13, 2018
SAN DIEGO -
Nevada 10, San Diego State 8 (8 inn.) | Highlights
San Diego State lost a 10-8 slugfest to Nevada in eight innings in the series opener Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs dropped to 12-25 overall and 3-7 in Mountain West play, while the Wolf Pack improved to 18-17 and 7-5.
The game, which lasted 2 hours and 59 minutes, featured a combined five lead changes, 18 runs, 30 hits, 26 left on base, 10 walks, a hit batter and seven errors.
SDSU appeared to take the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning when Shelby Thompson drilled a two-run homer over the left-field wall, and Katie Byrd's sacrifice fly later scored Aris Metcalfe with the go-ahead run.
Nevada, however, tied it in the top of the seventh as Erika Hansen's single plated Sadaria McAlister.
San Diego State threatened in the bottom half of the inning when Kiera Wright reached on a one-out effort, stole second and, after a four-pitch walk to Thompson and a strikeout, advanced to third on a wild pitch. Wolf Pack reliever Kali Sargent, however, got Kelsey Munoz to ground out to shortstop to force extra innings.
Nevada quickly got two runners into scoring position in the eighth on an Alyssa Mendez walk, Kwynn Warner single and Haley Burda sacrifice bunt, setting up a pinch-hit, two-run double by Jennifer Purcell.
The Aztecs pressured once again in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs off reliever Amanda Geil on a Taylor Adams hit by pitch, Katie Byrd single and Taylor Stewart walk. Geil, however, got Iesha Hill to ground back to her in the circle for the double play from home to first base, and Zaria Meshack to ground out to end the game.
SDSU was outhit, 19-11, in the game as each team left 13 on base.
Thompson led the way for San Diego State with two hits, including her second home run of the year and a double, four RBIs, two runs and a walk. Byrd added three hits, including her eighth double of the season, and two RBIs, and Munoz had two singles. Wright chipped in with a hit, two walks, three runs and three stolen bases.
Alex Formby, who on Tuesday was named the MW Pitcher of the Week, took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings of relief, striking out five. Julie McDonald, meanwhile, gave up three runs on nine hits and a walk in 2 2/3 innings as the starter.
NOTE I
SDSU dropped its sixth extra-inning game of the season, dropping to 2-6 in those games.
NOTE II
San Diego State tied a season high with 11 hits for the second consecutive game (three times overall).
NOTE III
Kiera Wright tied an Aztec single-game record with three stolen bases. It is the seventh time it has happened in school history and first time since Kayla Jordan vs. Cal Poly on Feb. 27, 2015.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs and Wolf Pack play Game No. 2 of the series at 6 p.m. PT Saturday. The first 500 fans in attendance at either the SDSU softball or baseball game (both start at 6 p.m. PT) will receive a free San Diego State hat.
Nevada 10, San Diego State 8 (8 innings)
Nevada (18-17, 7-5 MW) 300 301 12 -- 10 19 5
San Diego State (12-25, 3-7 MW) 320 003 00 -- 8 11 2
Jensen, Sargent (6), Geil (8) and Burda; McDonald, Formby (3) and Sturdivant
W - Sargent, 5-8; L - Formby, 8-10; SV - Geil, 1
HR: San Diego State, Thompson (2)