SAN DIEGO – Coming off a pair of run-rule wins, the San Diego State softball team seemed to have lost its momentum after two errors led to UNLV scoring four runs in the top of the first inning on Saturday afternoon. Cece Cellura entered the game in the second inning and allowed just one baserunner over the final 3.2 innings while the Aztecs scored twice in the bottom of the first and four times in the fourth inning. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, SDSU rallied for six runs, capped off by a pinch-hit walk-off grand slam by Shannon Cunningham to earn a 12-4 win in five innings.
Heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, just one of San Diego State’s (26-14, 10-5) last eight hitters had reached base against UNLV (18-21, 2-11) starter Amelia Weber and the team trailed 4-2. The inning started with a lineout. Then, after falling behind 1-2 in the count, Grace Uribe worked a walk. Ally Dueker ran for her and advanced to third base when pinch-hitter Gabriella Terrones reached on an error by the shortstop. Quinn Waiki re-entered the game on first base and stole second. Another pinch hitter, Olivia Gigante, singled up the middle, scoring both runners to tie the game at four. Kate Farren came back into the game, running at first base. Bella Espinoza reached on an infield single and suddenly, the go-ahead run was in scoring position. Julie Holcomb knocked a ball back up the middle, scoring both Farren and Espinoza to put the Aztecs on top for the first time, 6-4.
An inning later, Cali Decker led off with a single to right for the Aztecs. Jazmin Williams followed her with a double to center, leaving two runners in scoring position. They both came around to score when Angie Yellen singled down the right field line to put the Aztecs up 8-4. The hit chased Weber from the game and Jazmine Chavez pitched the rest of the way for the Rebels. Ally Dueker singled, and Kate Farren walked to load the bases with one out for Bella Espinoza’s spot in the lineup. Stacey Nuveman Deniz went to her bench, bringing in Cunningham to hit. A regular starter at first base, Cunningham was coming off the bench for just the second time since capping off the Aztecs’ seven-run rally with a grand slam to defeat Charlotte in the seventh inning on February 16. On the first pitch she saw, Cunningham launched the ball well over the wall in center field to end the game with a 12-4 Aztecs victory.
In the top of the first inning, Jesse Farrell walked for UNLV. The next hitter, Sofia Morales, hit a ground ball, which was thrown past first base and allowed Farrell to score while Morales went all the way to third. Ariana Martinez followed her with an RBI double down the right field line before Karmyna Becerra did the same down the left field line. Dee Dee Hernandez got the next two hitters to fly out before another error by the Aztecs allowed Becerra to score. Hernandez struck out Maddie Scott to finally end the inning. In the bottom half, Bella Espinoza reached on a bunt single before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Julie Holcomb. Espinoza moved up to third on a wild pitch. Jade Ignacio walked and baited the Rebels into catching her stealing while Espinoza trotted home to score on the throw. Cali Decker doubled and was able to cross the plate when Jazmin Williams singled back up the middle as the Aztecs cut the Rebels lead in half to 4-2.
UNLV started the second with two more singles before a sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position with one out. Cece Cellura entered the circle and shut down the Rebels the rest of the way. She struck out UNLV’s cleanup hitter Ariana Martinez and got an inning-ending groundout. Cellura would face 12 batters in the game, retiring 11 and only allowing Maggie Vasa to reach base when she was hit with a pitch in the third inning. She posted a pair of strikeouts.
THE NOTE
San Diego State earned its third straight run-rule win for the first time on record.
THE NOTE II
Shannon Cunningham’s homer was her second pinch-hit walk-off grand slam and third pinch-hit home run overall this season. Her six home runs this season are the most on the team.
THE NOTE III
San Diego State hit a grand slam in consecutive games for the first time during Stacey Nuveman Deniz’ tenure as head coach (since 2022).
UP NEXT
SDSU and UNLV conclude this three-game series at SDSU Softball Stadium on Sunday at 12 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network.
San Diego State 12, UNLV 4
UNLV (18-21, 2-11) 400 00 – 4 4 1
San Diego State (26-14, 10-5) 200 46 – 12 12 2
W – Cellura, 10-6; L – Weber, 8-12
HR: Cunningham, SDSU (6)