Softball Downs California Baptist, 2-1

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State scored both of its runs in the first inning and rode the arm of Marissa Moreno the rest of the way in a 2-1 win over California Baptist Tuesday night at SDSU Softball Stadium.
 
The Aztecs (20-22), who were playing in their final non-conference game of the season, got things going in the bottom of the first when Katie Byrd tripled down the right-field line and later scored on a throwing error by Lancer (21-27) first baseman Mackenzie Budinger. Molly Sturdivant followed with a solo home run well over the left-center field fence to give SDSU a 2-0 lead.
 
The two runs ended up being plenty for Moreno (9-9). The junior right-hander retired the first 11 batters she faced before Caitlyn Lloyd blooped a double down the left-field line in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs, just inches from going foul. Budinger followed with a single to second base to put runners on the corners before Anise Avalos somehow hit a ball off the actual third base, which scooted into left field and allowed Lloyd to score. Moreno, however, got Alley Johnson to ground out to second base to get out of the jam.
 
CBU only threatened twice more in the game, first when Makenna Stram singled to Moreno in the circle in the fifth with two outs and then when Avalos led off the seventh with a single to center field. Sturdivant picked off Avalos, however, at first base with second baseman Katie Byrd covering and making the tag. Moreno then got Johnson to fly out to center field and struck out Molly Kolander swinging to finish the game.
 
Moreno picked up her second straight complete-game victory, allowing one run on five hits and no walks, while striking out three. She finished with just 77 pitches (58 strikes) in seven innings of work.
 
Byrd, who entered the game with four extra-base hits all season (all doubles), doubled and tripled tonight to lead the SDSU offense. Sturdivant added what proved to be the game-winning homer and Shelby Thompson singled in a game which featured just a combined nine hits and no walks.
 
NOTE I
The Aztecs won their 25th straight game (14-0 this year) when leading after five innings.
 
NOTE II
SDSU improved to 10-4 on the season in one-run games.
 
STAT OF THE DAY
Tonight's game was just 1 hour, 23 minutes, San Diego States shortest game of the season.
 
UP NEXT
SDSU heads to Fort Collins, Colo., for a weekend series at No. 25 and Mountain West-leading Colorado State, beginning at 4 p.m. MT Friday.
 
San Diego State 2, California Baptist 1
California Baptist (21-27)             000 100 0 -- 1 5 1
San Diego State (20-22)               200 000 x -- 2 4 0
Lopez and Johnson, Tucker (5); Moreno and Sturdivant
W - Moreno, 9-9; L - Lopez, 3-10
HR: San Diego State, Sturdivant (2)