SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State softball team (22-23, 7-13 Mountain West) rallied for four runs in the sixth inning, but it was not enough as the Aztecs fell 5-4 against Boise State (21-29, 7-13 MW) on Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium.
Boise State jumped out to an early lead before the Aztecs could record an out. Sophia Romero was hit by a pitch, Skylar Stroh walked and Kate Penberthy followed with a three-run homer. Following a walk, Matti Kwarta settled down, getting a pair of ground balls and a strikeout to end the inning.
Kwarta retired the side in order in the second inning and Lala Macario singled for San Diego State’s first hit in the bottom of the frame.
Gabriella Terrones led off with a walk in the third inning and pinch runner Mia Rodriguez advanced to third base but was stranded there.
Boise State added on in the fourth when Jorja Crider walked and moved up on a single and a bunt before scoring on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Romero.
Faith Jordan stranded a runner in scoring position in the top of the fifth and SDSU threatened once more when Jazmin Williams reached on an error and Terrones walked again but their teammates were unable to drive them in.
In the top of the sixth, the Broncos tacked on an additional run after Crider walked and pinch runner Grace Peffley stole her way into scoring position and crossed the plate on a double by Hollie Farmer. The second batter of the bottom of the frame, Kaila Pollard, homered to get San Diego State on the board. Quinn Waiki followed with a single before Olivia Gigante walked and Lala Macario loaded the bases with a single of her own. Jayleen Hernandez batted for Williams and the move paid off when Hernandez lined a double into the gap in right center field to clear the bases and bring the Aztecs within a run. Boise State’s Charley Duran struck out the next two hitters to strand the tying run in scoring position.
Ava Schaffel entered the circle in the seventh and worked around a leadoff double by retiring the three ensuing hitters. In the latter half, Angie Yellen walked on four pitches to bring the winning run to the plate, but the Aztecs were unable to capitalize, falling 5-4.
THE NOTE
Jayleen Hernandez’s three runs batted in matched a career high. She also drove in a trio of runs in SDSU’s 10-2 win over Kansas City on February 28.
UP NEXT
San Diego State continues the series against Boise State on Saturday at 4 p.m. It is the team’s Pride game and features a headband giveaway.
Boise State 5, San Diego State 4
Boise State (21-29, 7-13) 300 101 0 – 5 6 1
San Diego State (22-23, 7-13) 000 004 0 – 4 5 0
W – Rose, 7-10; L – Kwarta, 6-6; S – Duran, 3
HR: Penberthy, BSU (12); Pollard, SDSU (5)