Softball can be broken down into three areas: hitting, pitchingand defense. When San Diego State squared off against the Universityof San Diego Saturday at the SDSU tournament, they had all threeworking.
The Aztecs (24-14-1) breezed to a 7-1 victory over the Toreros(8-22).
The offense, which has been shut out nine times this year, came tolife. The Aztecs collected nine hits and worked four walks off USD’sAllison Williams (4-8). Head coach Kathy Van Wyk said the team wasjust showing its true potential.
“We’recapable of doing that,” she said. “We tend to think too much at theplate instead of relying on instinct. It’s really just about buildingconfidence.”
SDSU’s offense didn’t waste any time getting started. KellieNordhagen hit a lead-off double and was knocked home by a JoannFigueroa single with no outs.
The Aztecs broke the game open in the third. Sarah Hershmanknocked in the inning’s first run with an infield hit. Janna Kovenskyscored on a throwing error on the play as well. Summer Ehrsam knockedin two more with a double in the next at-bat.
The Red and Black went on to add runs in the fifth and sixthinnings, as well.
The Toreros scored their lone run with two outs in the seventh offa RBI triple by Lori McBay.
Other than the late tally, Bre DeSanta (6-7) shut down the USDoffense. She went all seven innings, giving up just one run and fourhits, while striking out five and issuing no free passes.
DeSanta attributed her success to the offense and defense of herteammates.
“The offense was really good,” DeSanta said. “They were patient,took pitches and got runners around when they were on base. The earlyrun support helped. The defense also made some good plays.”
Home Sweet Home
Going into the weekend, the Aztecs had played their last 22 gamesaway from home. Although they went 14-8-1, it was a grinding trip andthe SDSU tournament was a welcome break.
“It was really nice to have some fans for us,” DeSanta said.
SDSU showed it by going 3-1 on the weekend.
Saturday’s first game was a rematch against No. 20 Texas A and M(23-6). The Aztecs came out swinging, scoring three runs in the firstinning. It would be all they would need as solid defense and a goodperformance by Jessi Green (7-3) held the Aggies to one run on ninescattered hits.
On Friday, SDSU defeated the Toreros 4-2,. Nordhagen went 3-4 withone run and one RBI and Jeni Tornquist (5-3) picked up the win.
The opening game Friday against Texas A and M ended in a 1-0 Aggiewin. The Texans scored the lone run when Kelly Ferguson lined a balloff Aztec third baseman Kelcy Murphy’s head. Ferguson ended up withan RBI double and Murphy stayed in the game. SDSU was held to fivehits as DeSanta took the loss.
Gimme a break
The Aztecs will take a much-deserved break this week. SDSU willhost one game Sunday against Saint Mary’s.
“We’re tired,” Ehrsam said. “We’ve played 12 games in the lastnine days.”
The Red and Black will play their next six games at home beforehitting the road again April 5.
