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Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
February 17, 2024 (San Diego) - San Diego State softball split their Friday night doubleheader on day one of the Campbell/Cartier Classic at the SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (4-3) fell in game one, 7-5, against rv/No. 25 Texas A&M (6-0) before bouncing back for a 6-4 comeback victory over LMU (2-4) in the nightcap.
In the opener, the two teams exchanged runs in the first inning but the Aggies scored four unearned runs over the next two frames to take a commanding lead. They added two more in the top of the sixth to take a 7-1 lead into the final inning. SDSU attempted the late heroics carried by a Mac Barbara three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh, but the comeback fell short.
Needing a response to Texas A&M’s first inning run, Micaela Macario led things off in the first with a single on the third pitch and immediately steal second base. A Bella Espinoza sac bunt moved her to third before a Barbara ground out to tie things up at one.
A throwing error by Cassidy West in the top of the second wound up leading to three unearned Aggie runs. Another fielding error in the top of third would tack on another run for Texas A&M.
San Diego State came up with an answer in the fourth following a Cali Decker one-out single. Makena Brocki followed with a double to put runners on second and third before a pinch hit Angie Yellen groundout brought in the second Aztec run of the contest.
The preseason Mountain West Player of the Year connected for her second home run of the young season in the seventh to bring SDSU within two. Her three-run shot came on the heels of Macario’s second single of the game and an Espinoza walk. Unfortunately, that’s where the rally ended as a groundout and flyout ended the rally and the ballgame.
Barbara finished the contest 2-for-4 with four RBI and a run scored. Her multi-hit effort was joined by Micaela Macario’s 2-for-2 performance with a walk and a hit by pitch to go along with a pair of runs scored.
In the circle, Cassidy West (0-2) started and threw two innings, allowing four runs (one earned) before handing the ball to Cece Cellura. Cellura handled the bulk of the game with four innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits. Dee Dee Hernandez closed out the game with a perfect seventh inning.
The nightcap was a comeback victory for the Aztecs after a four-run sixth inning turned a two-run deficit into a two-run advantage heading into the final frame.
Similar to game one, the visitors pushed a run across in the top half of the first which was answered by an Aztec run in the bottom half. Macario led it off with a walk and a stolen base, ultimately scoring after back-to-back groundouts to equal the game at one apiece.
San Diego State took their first lead in the third courtesy of an LMU error on an Espinoza sac bunt letting Macey Keester come in to score after reaching on a fielder’s choice.
The Lions offense responded with a big swing off the bat of Jasmine Sofowora for a two-run shot in the top of the fourth and put LMU in front by a run. They added an insurance run in the following inning on an RBI single.
Down to their final two sets of at-bats, the Aztecs rallied in the sixth sending with some help from LMU mistakes. A Cali Decker walk and Makena Brocki single put two runners on. Both advanced on back-to-back wild pitches to cut the deficit to just one. Following a Katie Goldberg walk, another wild pitch tied things up, 4-4.
Sporting runners on second and third, a deep flyball from AJ Murphy brought in the lead run and an error by the Lion second baseman allowed a second run to come across.
With a 6-4 lead, Dee Dee Hernandez (2-1) worked around a pair of baserunners for a shutout frame and secure the nightcap victory.
Brocki recorded the only Aztec multi-hit effort in game two, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Espinoza, Murphy, and Ally Deuker were responsible for the other three SDSU hits.
In the circle, Allie Light started and lasted 4.2 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk. Hernandez took over in the fifth and went the rest of the way for 2.1 scoreless frames.
THE NOTE
UTL Mac Barbara recorded five more RBI in the doubleheader, bringing her season total 12 through the first six games. She is responsible for half the team’s runs driven in so far this season.
THE NOTE II
LHP Dee Dee Hernandez made her third and fourth appearances on Friday for 3.1 total shutout innings pitched. With the performance, she lowered her ERA to 1.85 in 11.1 IP this season.
UP NEXT
SDSU hosts rv/No. 25 Texas A&M and 17/14 Oregon at 3 and 5:30 p.m. on day two of the Campbell/Cartier Classic (Saturday).
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