Aztec Softball Downs USD, 8-2

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State downed San Diego, 8-2, Wednesday night at USD Softball Complex. It was the third straight win for the Aztecs (3-2).
 
SDSU spotted the Toreros (0-6) a run in the bottom of the second inning before scoring eight times, including five runs in the decisive top of the third.
 
USD took a 1-0 lead in the second on a single by Amanda Limon that plated Tele Jennings.
 
San Diego State loaded the bases in the third on an Angie Yellen single, Micaela Macario walk and stolen base, and Mac Barbara walk. With one out, Alyssa Garcia reached on a slow-rolling infield single, which allowed both Yellen and Macario to score. Katie Goldberg then doubled off the first-base bag and Barbara raced home to make it 3-1 Aztecs. Cali Decker followed by reaching on a San Diego error as Garcia and Goldberg both scored to close out the inning.  
 
After a 1-2-3 third inning pitched by Cece Cellura, SDSU went to work in the fourth. Macey Keester reached on a one-out single, stole second and got to third on a Jeweliana Perez flyout. Macario drew a walk and stole second before Barbara laced a single just over the Torero second baseman's glove to score both runners to stretch San Diego State's lead to 7-1.
 
In the fifth, Goldberg led off with a double down the left-field line and later scored on a Makena Brocki sacrifice fly.
 
USD cut into the Aztec lead in the bottom of the fifth as Limon led off with a single, advanced to third on a sac bunt and subsequent error, and later scored on a Mikalyn Emanuelli single. With a runner on third and one out, SDSU relief pitcher Cassidy West got Joecellia Roberts to ground into a fielder's choice and Emanuelli out at second, while holding the runner at third. West then got Emma Giaime to ground out to Macario at second base to get out of the jam.
 
West retired San Diego in order in both the sixth and seventh inning to notch her first save of the season, allowing one unearned run on two hits and no walks over three innings of relief, striking out one. Cellura (1-0) picked up the first win of her career, giving up one run on three hits and a walk over four innings, striking out one.
 
Goldberg finished with a pair of doubles, two runs and an RBI to pace the San Diego State offense, while Keester added two hits, a run and a stolen base. Barbara was 1-for-2 with two RBIs, a run and two walks, and Macario walked twice, scored twice and added two stolen bases.
 
THE NOTE
After scoring just five runs on 10 hits over its first three games of the season, San Diego State has scored 14 runs on 19 hits over its last two games.
 
THE NOTE II
The Aztecs won their 14th straight game when outhitting their opponent.
 
STAT OF THE DAY
SDSU improved to 59-7 all-time against San Diego.
 
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play host to the 33rd annual Campbell/Cartier Classic this weekend, including games against rv/No. 25 Texas A&M (3 p.m. PT) and LMU (5:30 p.m. PT) on Friday, rv/No. 25 Texas A&M (3 p.m. PT) and No. 17/14 Oregon (5:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, and LMU again at 12:30 p.m. PT Sunday.
 
San Diego State 8, San Diego 2
San Diego State (3-2)           005 210 0 -- 8 7 1
San Diego (0-6)                   010 010 0 -- 2 5 1
Cellura, West (5) and Garcia; Rose, Tadlock (4) and Hogue-Lacy
W - Cellura, 1-0; L - Rose, 0-3; SV - West, 1