San Diego State came into its game against Fresno State Sunday, inthe Hedrick’s Hallowell Chevrolet Classic in Fresno, looking for asecond chance.
They didn’t get it.
The game was a rematch between the Aztecs Bre DeSanta (last week’sMWC Pitcher of the Week) and the Bulldogs’ Jaime Southern. The lasttime the two met (Feb. 15) Southern got the better of DeSanta,winning 1-0 while hurling a one-hitter and racking up 14 punch outs.
In round two, it was much the same story.
Red and Black hitters still couldn’t touch Southern (13-3),managing just two hits, both singles, and striking out six times.DeSanta (6-6) gave up six hits and three runs (one earned) in six andone-third innings before being relieved by Jeni Tornquist.
Head coach Kathy Van Wyk felt that the team didn’t play up to itspotential against Fresno.
“It was a disappointing game,” she said. “It was not our bestperformance. The experience of it was worthwhile, though. Playing intheir stadium, with their crowd and their officials was good for us.”
The Bulldogs (20-6) broke out of a scoreless stalemate in thethird inning when Lori Hoffman knocked in Lindsay Fossatti whilereaching first on a fielder’s choice. Hoffman scored a second run onan error by Kelcy Murphy.
Aztecs streak to title
The Aztecs claimed the tournament title, their first in 2002, byfinishing 5-1. Before losing to Fresno, the Aztecs put together afive-game winning streak, their longest of the year.
Van Wyk was impressed by the team’s performance.
“We were much improved,” she said. “If we can keep this up we’llbe well on our way to another regional.”
Saturday featured SDSU wins over Tennessee Tech and Baylor.
The Aztecs defeated Tennessee Tech in nine innings, 5-2. SDSU wonit in the ninth when Summer Ehrsam hit an RBI single and KellieNordhagan knocked in two runs with a double to lead the Aztecs tovictory.
In Saturday’s first game, SDSU downed Baylor 2-1. The Bears scoreda run in the first, but were shut down the rest of the game. SarahHershman and Murphy had the two Aztecs’ RBIs.
On Friday, SDSU romped Boston 6-0 and held out to beat Cal Poly5-4 in eight innings.
The Aztecs started off the winning streak with a 2-1 nine-inningvictory over Indiana.
Janna Kovensky, who made the all-tournament team after going9-for-23 on the weekend, said the defense was an integral part of theteam’s success.
“The defense has a lot to do with the pitching’s success,” shesaid. “The defense has been able to hold people to one or two runs.”
Working overtime
The title did not come easy for the Aztecs. Three Red and Blackvictories came in extra innings, which was tiring when added to thedouble headers played on Friday and Saturday.
“It was hard,” Hershman said. “The fact that we played two games aday, most days as well as the extra innings, was tiring.”
SDSU has fared well in extra frames so far this year, though. Theyare 5-0, with wins over CSU Northridge and No. 11 Oregon State aswell as over Indiana, Cal Poly and Tennessee Tech in Fresno.
