SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State welcomes UC Riverside on Wednesday night in a final tune-up before Mountain West season begins. First pitch between the Aztecs (12-12) and Highlanders (10-12) is 6 p.m. PT at SDSU Softball Stadium.
SDSU went 2-4 last week, including a 2-3 mark at the Louisville Slugger Classic in Long Beach, Calif. Four out of the five opponents San Diego State played last weekend made the NCAA tournament a year ago.
Taylor Adams paces the Aztec offense with a .339 average to go along with nine RBIs and eight runs. Maddi Ayers (.333), Kelsey Munoz (.306, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 10 R) and Molly Sturdivant (.306, 5 RBI) are also hitting over .300 for SDSU, while Kiera Wright (.289) leads the team with 17 runs and 12 stolen bases.
Marissa Moreno leads the San Diego State pitching staff with a 5-3 record, a save and 3.65 era over 55 2/3 innings. Moreno has three complete games and two shutouts, striking out 50 against 25 walks. Alicia Garcia (4-5, 4.76 ERA, 39.2 IP) and MJ James (3-4, 4.99 ERA, 54.2 IP) have also logged important innings in the circle for the Aztecs.
UCR brings a six-game win streak into Wednesday, including a 5-0 mark last weekend at its own Highlander Classic.
UC Riverside is led offensively by Melanie Olmos, and her .405 average and 17 RBIs. Danielle Ortega (.391, 15 R) and Brittney Garcia (.364, 14 RBI, 12 R) have also contributed at the plate.
The Highlander pitching staff comes into the game with a 4.98 ERA. Jacy Boles has done the bulk of pitching for UCR, going 6-2 with a 4.09 ERA in 65 innings. Olmos (1-6, 6.27 ERA) and Megan Casper (2-2, 6.38 ERA) have logged the next most innings for UC Riverside.
Following the Wednesday night clash, SDSU begins Mountain West play with a three-game home series with New Mexico. San Diego State and the Lobos will play at 6 p.m. PT Friday, 6 p.m. PT Saturday and noon PT Sunday.
Softball Welcomes UC Riverside on Wednesday Night
