RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- The San Diego State softball team doubled up California Baptist, 8-4, Tuesday night at Funk Stadium in Riverside, California. It was the third straight win for the Aztecs (19-10) and fifth consecutive victory over the Lancers (19-14).
SDSU scored four times in the top of the first inning and never looked back, totaling 10 hits and using three pitchers in the victory.
In the first, San Diego State scored its four runs on just two hits, but took advantage of two straight walks and a bases-loaded double by Makena Brocki. Macey Keester drew a bases loaded walk to score Mac Barbara before Brocki's double to right-center field cleared the bases.
CBU, however, responded in the bottom of the first on a three-run home run by Alissa Montes De Oca.
The Aztecs added two runs in the second as Bella Espinoza scored on a wild pitch and Cali Decker singled in Jillian Celis.
SDSU tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth on a RBI groundout by Celis to score Elianna Reyes and a sacrifice fly by Mac Barbara which plated Espinoza.
California Baptist got one back in the fifth on an RBI single by Karmyna Becerra.
The Lancers put together one last challenge in the seventh with consecutive singles by Priscilla Estrada and Sydney Soto to lead off the inning. San Diego State pitcher Sarah Lehman, however, settled down and struck out Macie Howes swinging, got Amanda Bricker to fly out to Espinoza in left field and Becerra to strike out swinging to end the game.
Keester was 3-for-3 with a walk, RBI and run to pace the Aztec offense, while Decker was 2-for-3 with a walk, RBI and run. Celis added two hits, an RBI and a run scored.
Dee Dee Hernandez earned the win for SDSU after allowing one run on four hits over three innings of relief. The left-hander is now 4-2 on the season. Dani Martinez started the game and surrendered three runs on three hits and two walks over two innings, striking out two. Lehman came into the game in the sixth and yielded two hits in two scoreless innings, striking out five to pick up her third save of the season.
THE NOTE
San Diego State improved to 16-7 on the season in non-conference games.
THE NOTE II
The Aztecs improved to 9-2 on the season against teams from the state of California.
STAT OF THE DAY
SDSU recorded its 11th save of the season, which is a school record just 29 games into the year.
UP NEXT
San Diego State returns to Mountain West play with a weekend home series against San Jose State, beginning 6 p.m. PT Friday at SDSU Softball Stadium.
San Diego State 8, California Baptist 4
San Diego State (19-10) 420 200 0 -- 8 10 1
California Baptist (19-14) 300 010 0 -- 4 9 1
Martinez, Hernandez (3), Lehman (6) and Ignacio; Argomaniz, Hosick (1), Limosnero (5) and San Pedro, Alavarez (5)
W - Hernandez, 4-2; L - Argomaniz, 3-4; SV - Lehman, 3
HR: California Baptist, Montes De Oca (1)
SDSU Doubles Up California Baptist, 8-4
