Feb. 18, 2006
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego softball team (4-3) swept the Vanguard University Lions (2-4), 5-1, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at the USD Softball Complex.
In the opening game, the Toreros broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth inning when senior Sara Mason ripped a shot to the center field wall for a triple and crossed home plate after Senior Gina McFarland was walked and then caught in a run-down play trying to steal second.
In the 6th inning, Mason led off with a single and stole second to put her in scoring position. Junior Danielle Treiber hit a single through the left side moving Mason to third. Senior Marissa Merchain hit a double through the right side allowing Treiber and Mason to score pushing the Torero lead, 3-0. Senior Ashlee Nunes capped off the inning with a two-run double allowing Merchain and sophomore Rebekah Bradford to score sealing the victory for USD.
In the nightcap game, the Lions took a quick 1-0 lead on a Heather Durham single to left field scoring Rachel Bomgren who doubled to right-center.
The Toreros responded in the bottom of the second inning when McFarland put a sacrifice bunt in play after Mason doubled. With Mason in scoring position on third, junior Alicia Massei singled through the left side allowing Mason to tie the game 1-1.
The Toreros exploded in the sixth inning with three runs on two hits. With Nunes on third and sophomore Kathleen Bonja on second, Mason tore off a shot to right right-center field for a triple allowing Nunes and Bonja to score lifting USD to a 3-1 lead. One batter later, Merchain singled through the right side recording an RBI as Mason crossed home plate capping a 4-1 victory.
Offensively for the Toreros in the two games, Mason hit 5-for-7 (.345) with four runs scored, two RBI, one double and two triples. Merchain hit 3-for-6 (.500) scoring one run and recorded three RBI. Sophomore Nichole Valenzuela hit 2-for-4, one run scored, and a double.
Junior pitcher Christina Haake (1-1) and senior pitcher Erin Harmonson (2-2) both recorded wins for the Toreros defensively. In game one, Haake gave up four hits, no runs, no errors and two strike-outs in six innings of work. Harmonson followed in game two pitching a complete game and gave up five hits, one run and had six strike-outs.
San Diego returns to the diamond for a doubleheader against cross-town rival UC San Diego on Wednesday at the Triton Softball Complex, the first game is scheduled for 4:00 pm.
