SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State received a complete game, four-hit shutout from Marissa Moreno to defeat UC Santa Barbara, 1-0, and record a split Saturday night at the 29th annual Campbell/Cartier Classic at SDSU Softball Stadium.
In the opener, Moreno (3-1) outdueled Gaucho (3-4) pitcher Felisha Noriega, allowing just four hits and two walks, while striking out six, to pick up her first shutout of the season. Two of the four hits Moreno allowed were infield hits, and the right-hander limited UCSB to an 0-for-6 outing with runners in scoring positon and a 1-for-11 (.091) mark with runners on base.
The Aztecs (6-3) got their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Shelby Thompson led off with a single through the left side and was replaced by Aris Metcalfe. Alicia Garcia followed with a sacrifice bunt, which allowed the speedy Metcalfe to get all the way to third base. She then scored when Kristen Parker reached on a throwing error by the UC Santa Barbara shortstop.
Garcia, Sturdivant and Parker also had hits for SDSU, while Kelsey Munoz reached via walk.
In the nightcap, San Diego State struggled in all three phases of the game in an 8-0 loss to the Lopes (3-6). The Aztecs went 4-for-27 (.148) and left eight runners on base, committed three errors and allowed six earned runs in their second loss of the season to GCU.
Grand Canyon scored twice in the top of the second, once in the third and once in the fifth, before breaking open a close game with four runs in the eighth.
Wright had two hits, while Kylie Fraser and Sturdivant also singled for the Aztecs.
Garcia (1-2) took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over two innings, while striking out one. MJ James yielded two runs on six hits and walk in four innings of relief, striking out one. Moreno, meanwhile, gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits in an inning, striking out three.
THE NOTE
SDSU is off to its best nine-game start since also starting 6-3 in 2016.
STAT OF THE DAY
The Aztecs are 4-0 in one-run games this season and 5-0 in games decided by two or less runs.
UP NEXT
San Diego State begins a seven-game road trip Wednesday night at Cal State Fullerton. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.
Game 1: San Diego State 1, UC Santa Barbara 0
UC Santa Barbara (3-4) 000 000 0 -- 0 4 1
San Diego State 000 100 x -- 1 5 1
Noriega and Thies; Moreno and Sturdivant
W - Moreno, 3-1; L - Noriega, 2-1
Game 2: Grand Canyon 8, San Diego State 0
Grand Canyon (3-6) 021 010 4 -- 8 13 2
San Diego State (6-3) 000 000 0 -- 0 4 3
Morrison, Coons (3) and Holland; Garcia, James (3), Moreno (7) and Fraser
W - Coons, 2-2; L - Garcia, 1-2
HR: Grand Canyon, Si. Smith (2)
Softball Splits on Second Day of Campbell/Cartier
