Aztec Softball Edged by Utah, 4-3

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State's late rally fell up just short in a 4-3 loss to Utah Wednesday morning at SDSU Softball Stadium. The game was a rematch of a 2023 NCAA Super Regional played in Salt Lake City, where the Utes (14-6) won a best-of-three series with the Aztecs (9-11), 2-1, to advance to the Women's College World Series.
 
SDSU trailed, 4-1, after a two-run homer by Karli Davison in the top of the fourth inning.
 
San Diego State, however, rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Angie Yellen and Katie Goldberg each reached on one-out singles and, after Ally Dueker pinch ran for Goldberg, AJ Murphy got to first on a catcher's interference call. Makena Brocki grounded into a fielder's choice, but Macey Keester ripped a single into right-center field to plate Dueker and Murphy. Keester stole second, but Bella Espinoza grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.
 
After relief pitcher Cece Cellura retired Utah in order in the top of the seventh, San Diego State tried to tie it in the bottom of the inning. Mac Barbara had a one-out single and was replaced by Elianna Reyes. Cali Decker reached on a fielder's choice, but Reyes was safe at second on throwing error by the Ute first baseman. Yellen's flyout to right field advanced Reyes to third, but Goldberg ground out to second for the final out of the game.
 
Utah got on the scoreboard in the first when a Julia Jiminez single scored Haley Denning.
 
The Aztecs tied it in the first as a Barbara single scored Espinoza from second base.
 
Keester was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a double and a stolen base for SDSU, which outhit the Utes, 10-8, in the game. Barbara and Yellen added two hits apiece.
 
Allie Light took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over four innings, striking out three. Cellura, who on Monday was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Week, pitched three scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits without a walk, while striking out two.
 
THE NOTE
RHP Cece Cellura stretched her career-long scoreless streak to 9 2/3 innings with three today.
 
THE NOTE II
CF Macey Keester tied a career high with three hits (also March 28, 2023 at California Baptist).
 
STAT OF THE DAY
San Diego State had an 18-game winning streak snapped when outhitting its opponent.
 
UP NEXT
The Aztecs head to the Louisville Slugger Invitational this weekend with games against Grand Canyon (4:30 p.m. PT) and Long Beach State (7 p.m. PT) on Friday in Long Beach, California, and North Dakota (3 p.m. PT) and Cal State Fullerton (5:30 p.m. PT) in Fullerton on Saturday.
 
Utah 4, San Diego State 3
Utah (14-6)                            101 200 0 -- 4 8 3
San Diego State (9-11)          100 002 0 -- 3 10 0
Lopez, Ladd (4) and Melendez, Doyle (6); Light, Cellura (4) and Decker
W - Ladd, 7-2; L - Light, 4-6
HR: Utah, Davison (1)