May 2, 2010
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A one-out bases clearing double to left centerfield by senior shortstop Carey Casciola gave the Toreros a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning of game two and then the win over the Coastal Division leading Loyola Marymount Lions on Sunday afternoon. The Toreros also defeated the Lions 7-2 in game one.
This is the first time USD has swept LMU in a PCSC four-game series. With the sweep of the Lions, San Diego improves to 19-24 on the season and 8-6 in conference. LMU falls to 22-22 overall and 9-7 in the PCSC.
The Toreros were down 5-1 in the seventh inning of game two with the bases loaded when Carey Casciola hit a base clearing double to the wall pushing USD ahead 6-5. Taylor Lawrence struck out swinging to start the inning. Kristen Gensler singled up the middle to start the rally followed by a Danielle Duhart single up the middle putting runners at first and second base. Taylor Hensley rocketed a ball deep to left field for an RBI-double scoring Gensler from second base and moving Duhart to third base. LMU made a pitching change while USD brought in Cathy Wineinger to pinch run for Taylor Hensley at second base. Celeste Soto swapped places with Wineinger recording an RBI-double of her own to deep centerfield that scored Duhart and advanced Wineinger to third base. Allison Stalberger came in to pinch run for Celeste Soto. The Lions chose to intentionally walk Ellenbeck loading the bases which backfired when Casciola sent a ball into the left-center gap that cleared the bases scoring Wineinger, Stalberger, and Ellenbeck and put Casciola at second for a stand-up double that gave USD a 6-5 lead. Walsh and Escobar both grounded out to end the come-from-behind rally that put five runs on five hits in the books for USD. The Toreros kept the momentum going when pitcher Alyssa Luna struck out two batters, one of which ended the game.
With a 3-1 lead going into the seventh inning of game one, USD let loose the bats as they recorded four runs on four hits including a two-RBI homerun by sophomore Celeste Soto. Kristen Gensler lead off with a single through the left side and then stole second base. Taylor Hensley grounded out to first base allowing Gensler to score and moving Duhart to second base. Soto took LMU's second pitch to the fence where it bounced off the top of the wall and over pushing the Toreros ahead 6-1. Jennifer Ellenbeck walked which lead to LMU making a pitching change. Ellenbeck then advanced to second base on an illegal pitch. Carey Casciola also walked bringing in Kierstie Svatos to pinch hit for Megan Walsh. Svatos grounded out allowing Casciola to advance to second base and Ellenbeck to advance to third base. Mickell Escobar hit an RBI-single to the pitcher allowing Ellenbeck to score and advancing Casciola to third base lifting USD to a 7-1 lead over the Lions. LMU would score one run in the seventh trying to rally but would come up short with some tough Torero defense as they went on to win 7-2.
Offensively on the day for USD, Carey Casciola finished 3-for-5 with one double, two runs scored, and three RBI. Mickell Escobar finished 3-for-7 with one double and three RBI. Kristen Gensler finished the day 3-for-8 with two runs scored. Taylor Hensley finished 2-for-6 with one homerun, one double, three RBI, and one run scored. Celeste Soto finished 2-for-6 with one homerun, one double, three RBI, and two runs scored.
Jennifer Ellenbeck improves to 13-11 on the season recording her 17th complete game of the season striking out two batters on the day in 7.0 innings of work. Alyssa Luna improves to 3-3 on the season picking up the win after entering the game in relief striking out three batters in 2.2 innings of work. Kaitlin Healy struck out two batters in 4.1 innings of work.
San Diego will take the week to prepare for their final homestand of the season against the Santa Clara Broncos scheduled for May 8-9 at noon on both days at the USD Softball Complex.
