April 2, 2010
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - USD took a 2-1 lead in the first inning against crosstown rival San Diego State and defended that lead well Friday night as the Toreros won 3-2 over the Aztecs at the USD Softball complex.
"This was a great victory for the team," said head coach Melissa McElvain. "It was a solid team effort. Jen pitched a great game, we played firm defense, and six hits offensively all add up to a great overall win."
The Toreros improve to 11-17 with the victory while the Aztecs fall to 21-10 on the season.
Down 1-0 in the first inning, San Diego came out with bats swinging as they recorded two runs on three hits. Kristen Gensler lead off with a single up the middle and advanced to second during Duharts at-bat when the Aztecs committed a fielding error. Taylor Hensley lined out to the shortstop for the first out which brought up Celeste Soto who recorded an RBI-single to center field moving Duhart to second base and scoring Gensler. Jennifer Ellenbeck hit a fielder's choice to the pitcher reaching base and moving Soto to second base while Duhart got the second out of the inning at third base. Carey Casciola hit an RBI-single to center field and advanced to second base on the throw pushing Ellenbeck to third base and allowing Soto to score giving USD a 2-1 lead over the Aztecs. Walsh grounded out to end the inning.
San Diego pushed across one more run in the third inning when Taylor Hensley doubled to right field putting her in scoring position as Ellenbeck punched a single to right field scoring Hensley lifting USD to a 3-1 lead. The Aztecs scored one run in the fifth inning cutting the lead to 3-2, however USD's defense was in high gear not letting the Aztecs tie the game and taking the win.
This marks the first victory since 2008 when USD defeated San Diego State 6-4 at the Diamond Devil Classic in Tempe, Arizona.
Gensler finished 1-for-3 on the night with one run scored. Taylor Hensley hit 1-for-3 with one run scored extending her streak for hitting a double in a game to five. Celeste Soto finished 1-for-2 with one run scored and one RBI.
Jennifer Ellenbeck improves to 8-8 on the season from the circle pitching her 11th complete game of the season and striking out six batters on the evening bringing her career strikeout total to 397.
The Toreros and Aztecs return to action on Saturday, April 3 at the SDSU Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
