SDSU Softball Downs California, 6-2

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and rode the arm of Maggie Balint in a 6-2 victory over California on the second day of the San Diego Classic Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs improved to 12-6 on the season, while the Golden Bears dropped to 14-4.
 
SDSU, which is now 2-1 against the Pac-12 this season, scored its five runs in the fourth on four hits and two Cal errors, all with two outs. Makena Brocki came through with a single down the left-field line to plate Macey Keester and AJ Murphy, and put San Diego State in the lead at 3-2. Brocki moved to third on a Jillian Celis single and scored when Alexa Schultz reached on a throwing error by California shortstop Tatum Anzaldo. Mac Barbara followed with a single to center field which scored Celis and Schultz.
 
The Aztecs got on the scoreboard in the second as an infield single by Bella Espinoza knocked in Jessica Cordola.
 
The Golden Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Kacey Zoback hit a two-out double off Balint (5-3) and Sona Halajian followed with a home run. Alexis Bishop then reached on a walk and Kennedy Thomas singled before Balint struck out Aleia Agbayani to get SDSU out of the inning.
 
It was the start of an impressive stretch for Balint, who retired 12 consecutive batters beginning with the Agbayani strikeout. Out of the 12 outs, eight came from a Balint strikeout. For the game, Balint struck out 10, while allowing two runs on five hits and two walks.
 
Espinoza led San Diego State with two hits.
 
THE NOTE
RHP Maggie Balint recorded her sixth double-digit strikeout game of the season in nine starts. On the season, Balint has 97 strikeouts in 57 innings, averaging 11.9 per seven innings.
 
THE NOTE II
Out of the 18 games on the season, the Aztecs now have 12 games without recording an error.
 
STAT OF THE DAY
After batting .083 (1-for-12) with runners on base and .143 (1-for-7) with runners in scoring position in a 2-1, eight-inning loss to Brigham Young on Thursday, SDSU was 7-for-13 (.538) with runners on base and 4-for-10 (.400) with runners on base tonight against California.
 
UP NEXT
San Diego State continues its play in the San Diego Classic with Saturday games against Yale (3 p.m. PT) and Long Beach State (5:30 p.m. PT).
 
San Diego State 6, California 2
California (14-4)                    200 000 0 -- 2 5 2
San Diego State (12-6)          010 500 x -- 6 7 0
Archer, Teperson (4) and Zobac; Balint and Romanello
W - Balint, 5-3; L - Archer, 5-2
HR: California, Halajian (6)