SAN DIEGO -- Molly Sturdivant hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning in San Diego State's 5-4 loss to UNLV Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium.
Down by a 5-0 score, the Aztecs (15-17, 3-4 MW) loaded the bases on a fielder's choice, a two-out single by Katie Byrd (West Hills HS) and a Rebel (23-7, 4-2 MW) error. Sturdivant then took a 2-0 pitch over the left-center field fence to bring SDSU within one run. It was Sturdivant's first home run of the season and third grand slam of her career. Shelby Thompson followed with a walk, but UNLV pitcher Jenny Bressler struck out Jessica Cordola swinging to end the game.
Three of the Rebels' five runs were unearned as San Diego State committed three errors.
UNLV jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a two-run single by Mia Trejo and a RBI double by Myranda Bueno.
The Rebels added an important two runs in the fourth with two outs when Reina Bondi scored on an Aztec fielding error and Lauren Tycksen scored on a Samantha Diaz single.
SDSU threatened in the bottom of the fifth as Kylie Fraser led off with a walk and Kristen Parker followed with a single. Kiera Wright ripped a hard-hit ball that looked like it was going to go into left field, but UNLV third baseman Lauryn Barker snagged the ball and doubled up Kayla Sok, who came in for Fraser, at second base. Katie Byrd immediately followed with a double into the left-center field gap to put two runners into scoring position. Taylor Adams then hit a ball that bounced off pitcher Jenny Bressler's glove, but Diaz at shortstop was able to corral the deflection and throw out Adams at first, keeping San Diego State off the scoreboard.
It appeared Bressler was going to complete the shutout until Sturdivant's two-out grand slam in the seventh.
Three Aztecs had three hits apiece, including Thompson, who was 3-for-3 with a walk. Kristen Parker also was 3-for-3, while Byrd was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
Alicia Garcia took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over three innings, while striking out one. Garcia is now 5-6 on the season. MJ James pitched the final four innings, yielding two unearned runs on four hits and a walk, recording one strikeout.
NOTE I
C Molly Sturdivant has the last three grand slams for SDSU (one tonight and two in 2018).
NOTE II
San Diego State fell to 11-4 on the season when outhitting its opponent.
STAT OF THE DAY
The Aztecs' 11 hits were the most UNLV pitcher Jenny Bressler has allowed this season. Molly Sturdivant's home run was also just the fourth given up by Bressler and first since March 2.
UP NEXT
Game No. 2 of the SDSU-UNLV series is 6 p.m. PT Saturday.
UNLV 5, San Diego State 4
UNLV (23-7, 4-2 MW) 003 200 0 -- 5 9 1
San Diego State (15-17, 3-4 MW) 000 000 4 -- 4 11 3
Bressler and Vollmer, Caccamise (4); Garcia, James (4) and Sturdivant
W - Bressler, 15-3; L - Garcia, 5-6
HR: San Diego State, Sturdivant (1)
Softball’s Rally Comes up Short in 5-4 Loss to UNLV
