April 22, 2006
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif - The University of San Diego softball team (19-17, 7-3 PCSC) posted a split against the Sacramento State University Hornets (26-17, 5-5 PCSC) Saturday afternoon at the USD Softball Complex. The Toreros dropped game one by a score of 6-2 but came back to defeat the Hornets 4-2 in game two.
In game one, San Diego scored one run in the fourth inning and one run in the seventh. Sacramento State posted one run in the second, one run in the fourth, three runs in the fifth, and one run in the seventh.
Down 1-0 in the fourth inning, Sara Mason smashed a ball into deep right field for a triple. Gina McFarland followed with a single up the middle allowing Mason to score tying the game 1-1.
With the score 5-1, the Toreros tried to rally a come-back. Rebekah Bradford reached on an error by Sacramento. Ashlee Nunes grounded out to the pitcher advancing Bradford to second base. Nichole Valenzuela doubled to left field scoring Bradford from second base for a final score of 6-2.
In game two, Sacramento State took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. San Diego posted one run in the third inning when Nunes led off with a walk then stole second base. Mason got on base on a walk. Nunes advanced to third base on a wild pitch. McFarland walked moving Mason to second base and loading the bases. Marissa Merchain then recorded an RBI walk scoring Nunes and moving each base runner over and tying the game at 1-1 on no hits in the inning.
San Diego's big inning came in the fifth when the Toreros scored three runs on four hits. Kathleen Bonja led off with a single to left field followed by a double into left-center field from Mason moving Bonja to third. Gina McFarland hit a ball up the middle for an RBI single scoring Bonja and advancing Mason to third base. Marissa Merchain walked on moving McFarland to second and loading the bases. Celine Pujol pinch ran for Merchain as Virginia Fritsch crushed a two-RBI double to left-center field scoring Mason and McFarland and taking a 4-1 lead over the Hornets.
Sacramento State made an attempt at a come back scoring one run, however the Torero defense finished strong.
Offensively for San Diego, Sara Mason finished the day hitting a combined 2-for-4 (.500) with one double, one triple, and two runs scored. Gina McFarland also hit a combined 2-for-4 (.500) with two RBI, and one run scored. Marissa Merchain finished 1-for-3 (.333) with one RBI.
Defensively, Christina Haake recorded the win pitching a complete game allowing two runs on seven hits with three strike-outs and a game ERA of 2.00. She improves to 6-6 with an overall ERA of 4.33. Erin Harmonson tallied a loss pitching a complete game while striking out two batters. She falls to 9-9 with a 2.96 overall ERA.
The Toreros return to the USD Softball Complex for day two of their series with Sacramento State University on Sunday, April 23. Game one is scheduled to begin at noon and can be seen through Gametracker via the USD softball webpage.
