Feb. 13, 2010
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego softball team opened their 2010 campaign undefeated for the first time since 2004 as head coach Melissa McElvain lead her team to a 7-4 victory over UC Riverside and a 6-5 victory over Boise State University.
San Diego combined for 15 hits and 13 runs while the pitching staff tallied 14 strikeouts over the two games.
In game one, the Toreros took a 2-1 lead after the first inning. Both teams settled down in the second and third innings then in the fourth inning, the Highlanders jumped out to a 3-2 lead.
San Diego responded in the bottom half of the fourth as Taylor Hensley opened the inning striking out. Jennifer Ellenbeck singled followed by Cathy Wineinger who reached on a fielder's choice moving Ellenbeck into scoring position. Mickell Escobar grounded out to third base moving Ellenbeck and Wineinger up one base and both players into scoring position. Lauren Tomey pinch hit and walked loading the bases and was replaced by Taylor Lawrence to pinch run at first base. Danielle Duhart took base-on-balls earning an RBI as Ellenbeck cross home plate tying the game at 3-3. Kristen Gensler punched a two-RBI single and advanced to second on the throw scoring Lawrence and Wineinger as the Toreros took a commanding 5-3 lead and didn't look back.
USD would score two more runs in the sixth inning while the Highlanders would pick up one more run as the Toreros went on to win 7-4.
In game two, USD and Boise State jockeyed for the lead in the early innings. After a scoreless opening inning, both teams scored a run a piece in the second inning, followed by two runs each in the third inning.
The Broncos tallied two runs in the fourth inning while the Toreros scored three runs and held on to their lead.
Escobar would open the inning reaching base and advancing to second on a balk. Stalberger flied out to left field, however Duhart hit an RBI-double down the left field line scoring stalberger putting the Toreros down 4-5. San Diego kept chipping away as Gensler grounded out to second base moving Duhart around to third base and then scored on a Megan Walsh RBI-single tying the game at 5-5. Walsh would steal second base and then advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then would score on Carey Casciola's at bat as the Toreros would take a 6-5 lead and eventual final score.
Gensler and Walsh both finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored against the Highlanders. Gensler lead the team against the Broncos finishing 2-for-4 with one RBI. Alyssa Luna and Jennifer Ellenbeck each pick up a win from the pitchers circle. Ellenbeck finished the day pitching a complete game and striking out eight batters. Luna struck out five batters in 4.2 innings of work.
San Diego looks to better their 2-0 record when they travel to Amy S. Harrison field at UC Riverside to complete the USD-BSU-UCR Round Robin Tournament. The Toreros will face Boise State at 9:00 a.m. and finish with UC Riverside at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 14 in Riverside, California.
