SAN DIEGO – San Diego State began their Mountain West schedule with a 6-4 victory over Utah State on Friday night. In a back-and-forth contest, the Aztecs plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth to top the Aggies for their fifth consecutive win.
Utah State (15-10, 0-1 Mountain West) struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. After the Aztecs (14-11, 1-0) were kept off the board in their half of the first, they had an answer in the second.
Makena Brocki singled, Alyssa Garcia walked and Katie Goldberg single to load the bases with nobody out. A comebacker led to a double play and following a replay review to challenge an interference call on the field, the Aztecs were left with two runners on and two out. Macey Keester came up clutch though with a two-strike single into right field to plate the first SDSU run of the night.
The Scarlet and Black kept the momentum going in the bottom of the third taking the lead on a Brocki RBI groundout followed by an Alyssa Garcia RBI double down the left field line.
The Aggies plated individual runs in the fifth and sixth innings to reclaim a 4-3 lead.
Two walks and an error filled the bases with Aztecs for Mac Barbara. The senior came through with a single up the middle allowing two runners to come around to score and put SDSU out in front. Three pitches later, Cali Decker singled through the left side for an insurance run going into the final inning.
Allie Light started in the circle and threw five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits. She then re-entered the game for seventh and closed it out with the help of a five-four-three double play to lock up her first save of the season. Dee Dee Hernandez (4-2) earned the win after allowing an unearned run in her lone inning of work.
Barbara went 2-for-3 with the game-tying and game-winning runs batted in. Decker (2-for-3) and Goldberg (2-for-2) also recorded multi-hit efforts, and each scored a run.
San Diego State continues their conference opening series with Utah State on Saturday afternoon. First pitch for game two of the series will be at 4 p.m. live on the Mountain West Network.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
With her two RBI tonight, Mac Barbara now has 133 for her career, which ranks third-most in program history. She is just five away from moving into second-most.
THE NOTE
San Diego State has won two of their last three Mountain West openers.
THE NOTE II
The Aztecs are now 7-3 in their last 10 meetings against Utah State.
Softball Wins Mountain West Opener Against Utah State
