SDSU Powers Past NIU, 11-1, in Six Innings

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State homered three times, including a grand slam by All-American Mac Barbara, in an 11-1 victory over Northern Illinois in six innings Sunday afternoon at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (4-1), who are receiving votes in both national polls, finished in a three-way tie for first place in the six-team SDSU Season Kickoff with No. 22/rv Arizona State and rv/rv Notre Dame, all at 4-1.
 
SDSU posted season highs in runs (11) and hits (14), and won by its largest margin (10) of the season. Additionally, San Diego State only left four runners on base.
 
The Huskies (1-4) got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first inning when Kelly Walinski's sacrifice bunt scored Ally Rodriguez from third base.
 
NIU threatened again in the second with back-to-back infield singles by Kacie Quick and Fiona Crane. SDSU starting pitcher Dani Martinez, however, got Danielle Stewart to foul out to third baseman AJ Murphy, and Trinity Jones Estrada to pop into a double play to second baseman Taylor Okada, who tossed it to shortstop Jillian Celis at second for the final out of the inning.
 
It was all San Diego State the rest of the way, beginning in the top of the third inning when it loaded the bases on singles by Okada, Bella Espinoza and Murphy. Barbara then cleared the bases just over the left-field wall for the grand slam. It was the first home run of the season for Barbara, who hit 18 last year en route to becoming a NFCA third-team All-American and Mountain West Player of the Year.
 
The Aztecs slugged back-to-back home runs in the fifth, including a two-run homer by Celis over the right-field wall and a solo homer by Murphy to left field. It was the first of the season for both Celis and Murphy.
 
SDSU put the game away for good in the sixth with four more runs. Macey Keester and Okada each scored on an Espinoza fielder's choice with Okada scoring on an error on the play. Later in the inning, Alex Bunton came through with her first career hit in a two-run double.
 
Murphy led the San Diego State offense with three hits, two runs and an RBI, while Espinoza (2-for-4, RBI, 3 R), Barbara (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R), Keester (2-for-3, R) and Okada (2-for-3, 2 R) added two hits apiece. In all, seven of the nine Aztec starters in the lineup had at least one hit.
 
The offense was plenty for the SDSU pitching staff. Martinez started the game and allowed one unearned run on four hits over two innings. Dee Dee Hernandez picked up the win after tossing three scoreless innings of relief, striking out one with two hits and no walks allowed. Sarah Lehman came in and pitched a perfect sixth to secure San Diego State's run-rule victory.
 
THE NOTE
Mac Barbara recorded her second career grand slam, both of which have happened over the Aztecs' last 11 games (also May 13, 2022 at New Mexico).
 
THE NOTE II
SDSU's 14 hits were its most in a non-conference game since having 15 against Nicholls on Feb. 7, 2020.
 
STAT OF THE DAY
San Diego State allowed just one earned run over its final 22 2/3 innings of the weekend (0.31 ERA).
 
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play host to Wichita State at 6 p.m. PT Thursday before hosting the 32nd annual Campbell/Cartier Classic over the weekend.
 
(rv/rv) San Diego State 11, Northern Illinois 1 (6 innings)
San Diego State (4-1)            004 034 -- 11 14 1
Northern Illinois (1-4)            100 000 -- 1 6 1
Martinez, Hernandez (3), Lehman (6) and Barbara, Decker (3), Ignacio (6); Stewart, Cassell (4), Dato (5), Ostrowski (6) and Jones Estrada, Cruthers (6)
W - Hernandez, 2-0; L - Stewart, 0-3
HR: San Diego State, Barbara (1), Celis (1), Murphy (1)
 
Other Sunday Games at SDSU Season Kickoff
(rv/rv) Notre Dame 9, Memphis 1 (6 innings)
 
Final Records at SDSU Season Kickoff
1t. (rv/rv) San Diego State - 4-1
1t. (22/rv) Arizona State - 4-1
1t. (rv/rv) Notre Dame - 4-1
4. CSUN - 2-3
5. Northern Illinois - 1-4
6. Memphis - 0-5