SAN DIEGO – Coming in with a five-game losing streak, the San Diego State softball team had a prime opportunity to get back in the win column on Friday against Loyola Marymount. Originally scheduled for a doubleheader, the front end was canceled due to field conditions following heavy rain in the San Diego area on Thursday night. In the game, the Aztecs jumped ahead early with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. LMU was able to scratch runs across in the fourth and sixth innings but both times, SDSU countered with a run of their own in the bottom half as San Diego State earned a 6-2 win.
Grace Uribe retired LMU (8-16) in order in the top of the first inning on a trio of groundouts to the left side of the infield. In the bottom of the frame, Bella Espinoza led off with a single up the middle. She advanced to third when Uribe singled over the head of the second baseman. Angie Yellen bunted to first base and Izzy Jamgotchian threw home but everyone was safe, and Espinoza scored. Yellen and Uribe moved up to second and third when Shannon Cunningham flew out into the right field corner. Julie Holcomb lined a triple off the wall in left field, scoring both runners and giving the Aztecs (14-8) a 3-0 lead. Sav Adams was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners for Quinn Waiki. She hit a grounder back to the pitcher, Jessica Hubbard, who misplayed the ball, allowing Holcomb to cross the plate.
In the second, Uribe faced the minimum again. Espinoza led off with a single once more, this time a bunt to the first baseman. She was caught stealing before the next two hitters, Decker and Uribe, each singled as well. Yellen walked to load the bases, but a double play ended the inning.
The Lions mustered their first hit in the third inning, a single off the bat of Justine Lambert. Ally Dueker singled in the bottom of the inning for the Aztecs.
LMU finally got on the board in the fourth inning. With two outs, Arianna Jaurequi doubled to the gap in right center field. Sakora Harvell followed her with a triple to the same spot to make it 4-1. Uribe stranded Harvell on third by striking out Kealani Caster to end the frame. In the bottom of the inning, Espinoza walked, and Decker advanced her to third with a single. Kiara Cisneros, running for Decker, stole second base to put two runners in scoring position for Uribe. She hit a grounder to shortstop Analiah Lummus, who threw home but could not get out Espinoza.
Dee Dee Hernandez came on in the sixth inning, replacing Uribe, who limited the Lions to one run on four hits with four strikeouts over five innings. With one out in the sixth inning, Jamgotchian homered to left field to make it 5-2. After a hit by pitch and an error, Hernandez settled down and retired the next two hitters. Espinoza reached once more with a bunt single to the catcher in the bottom of the inning and came around to score when Decker doubled off the wall in center field. Uribe walked and Yellen singled to load the bases, but SDSU could not bring in any more runners.
Hernandez made quick work of LMU in the seventh, getting two flyouts and a groundout to finish out a 6-2 Aztec victory.
THE NOTE
The 6-2 win was the same result and score as the Aztecs’ last home game, which took place on February 25 against California Baptist.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play twice on Saturday. First, SDSU will take on Sacramento State, scheduled for a noon first pitch. Afterwards, the Hornets will play No. 6/6 UCLA before the Aztecs wrap up the day against the Bruins, set to begin around 5 p.m.
San Diego State 6, Loyola Marymount 2
Loyola Marymount (8-16) 000 101 0 – 2 5 1
San Diego State (14-8) 400 101 X – 6 11 2
W – Uribe, 3-0; L – Hubbard, 4-8
HR: Jamgotchian, LMU (5)