SAN DIEGO – San Diego State softball swept their doubleheader against Colorado State on Thursday with a 3-1 victory in game one followed by a 7-6 comeback victory in game two.
With the wins, SDSU (19-13, 6-2 Mountain West) secures the series victory over the Rams (18-14, 1-6 MW) ahead of Friday's finale. It is the Aztecs' third consecutive series win to begin the conference schedule.
The opener was all about the pitching, with Allie Light (7-7) picking up the win after throwing four innings allowing just one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out four. She handed the ball off to Cece Cellura for three one-hit, shutout innings for her first career save.
San Diego State scored two runs in the bottom of the first for an early lead. A walk followed by two singles loaded the bases for Katie Goldberg who promptly singled to center field to plate the first run. Makena Brocki followed with a sacrifice fly to right field for run number two.
CSU responded with an unearned run in the top of the third, but the Aztecs got the run back in the fifth on a stolen base and throwing error from the Rams' catcher.
Cellura surrendered a bunt single to the first batter she faced before retiring the final nine Colorado State hitters to secure the 3-1, series opening victory.
The night cap was a much different story as the teams combined for 13 runs and 21 hits to close out the doubleheader. At least one run was scored in six of the seven innings in the 7-6 San Diego State victory.
Cellura started the game with a one-two-three top of the first, and the Aztec offense got the scoring started in the bottom half. The first two reached on a hit by pitch and a walk before Alyssa Garcia doubled to right field plating the first run of the game.
Colorado State answered back and claimed the lead with two runs in the top of the third and a single run in the top of the fourth.
Cali Decker came through with the first of her two clutch knocks on the night in the fourth. AJ Murphy and Bella Espinoza got the inning started with back-to-back singles. A popout, sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk to Mac Barbara set the stage for a two-out, bases loaded at-bat for Decker. Working the count to three balls, two strikes, the junior singled through the left side to plate a pair and knot the game at 3-3.
With a two-run lead, Dee Dee Hernandez got the call out of the bullpen but unfortunately could not make it out of the inning allowing two runs on three hits as the Rams reclaimed the lead.
Down to their final six outs, SDSU needed a rally in the sixth inning. Lala Macario and Barbara singled with one out. In another pressure situation, Decker won an 11-pitch battle for an RBI single through the right side and cut the deficit to one. Runners on the corners, Alyssa Garcia ripped a double down the right field line giving the Aztecs the lead and forcing CSU to make a pitching change. Facing a new arm, Goldberg grounded one to short to bring in a much needed insurance run for the Scarlet and Black.
Light, who had already tossed 1.1 shutout innings in game two, headed back to the circle to close it out. Back-to-back singles and an error pulled CSU within one run and had the tying run just 60 feet away. A groundout and strikeout gave the Aztecs two outs but a walk put the potential lead run on base. On a 1-2 pitch, Light induced a ground ball to Goldberg at third to lock up the 7-6 comeback victory and the doubleheader sweep.
Across the two games, Decker hit 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored to lead the Aztec offense. Game two goes as her first three-RBI game and fourth multi-RBI game this season. It was also her sixth multi-hit game of the year.
Similarly, Garcia was 3-for-6 on the day with three RBI and a walk in the doubleheader. She also has four multi-RBI games this year, two of which have been three-RBI efforts.
After being held hitless in the opener, Murphy recorded a 2-for-4 performance in the night cap for her third multi-hit game of the season.
In the circle, Light picked up both victories throwing 6.1 innings. The senior allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out six. Cellura tossed 7.0 innings allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits with three strikeouts.
THE NOTE
The Aztecs are now 6-4 in one-run games and have won three of their last four games decided by a single run.
THE NOTE II
San Diego State has now won eight consecutive Mountain West series on their home field going back to the start of the 2022 conference schedule.
STAT OF THE DAY
Cali Decker and Alyssa Garcia are the first duo to record three RBI in the same game since May 13, 2023, when Decker and Jillian Celis each drove in three runs in an 8-0 victory over San Jose State.
NEXT UP
San Diego State will close out their series with Colorado State tomorrow night at SDSU Softball Stadium. First pitch will be at 6 p.m.
Aztecs Sweep Doubleheader Against Colorado State
