March 20, 2011
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego softball team wrapped the final day of the San Diego Classic II on a high note sweeping opponents at the USD Softball Complex. The Toreros beat Cal State Northridge in the morning game 4-3 and followed with a 5-3 win over Ohio University in a windy afternoon match-up with gusts kicking upwards of 25 miles per hour.
The Toreros improve to 10-11 on the day with the two wins bringing their home record up to 3-5 on the season.
In their morning game, USD fell behind 2-0 as the Matadors picked up a run in the first and fifth innings. San Diego launched an offensive assault in the bottom of the fifth responding with three runs taking back the lead. Lauren Tomey opening the half inning with a walk and was replaced by Allison Stalberger at first base who pinch ran. Kylie Ordos reached base on a sacrifice bunt that Northridge picked up an error on allowing Stalberger to not only advance to second but move up to third base. Kristen Gensler and Dana Prelsnik both got out on their at-bats which brought up Taylor Hensley who rung up a two-RBI double to left center scoring Stalberger and Ordos. Jessica Tieszen came through big recording an RBI-single giving Hensley the green light for home as the Toreros took a 3-2 lead.
The Matadors would tie it up in the seventh forcing extra innings and after solid defense by USD, the Toreros locked up the win in the 8th inning. With two outs, Celeste Soto sent a shot deep to centerfield for a double. Walsh walked putting runners at first and second base for Lauren Tomey who smashed an RBI-double right up the middle into centerfield bringing in Taylor Hensley to score the winning run giving USD the 4-3 win.
With the weather starting to turn bad, USD and Ohio quickly got underway as winds gusted through the field. In the second inning, the Toreros took control putting up a two-spot on the Bobcats. Celeste Soto singled to left field and moved to second base on a Kimberlee Shimizu bunt-single. Both Soto and Shimizu moved ahead one base on a Bobcat wild pitch. Megan Walsh struck out followed by Lauren Tomey taking base on balls, while Kylie Ordos struck out. With two outs, Kristen Gensler stepped up big with a two-RBI single to centerfield scoring Soto and Shimizu.
The Bobcats would cut the lead 2-1 in the third inning, followed by Taylor Hensley scoring in the fifth inning on Kimberlee Shimizu's at-bat lifting USD to a 3-1 lead.
The Toreros would record two much needed runs in the seventh inning pushing ahead to a 5-1 lead. With one out, Kimberlee Shimizu took first on a fielder's choice as the Bobcats took out USD's lead runner. Megan Walsh would smash a single through the left side moving Shimizu to second base. Freshman Kylie Ordos would come up big for the Toreros with a two-RBI single up the middle scoring Shimizu and Walsh. Gensler grounded out to end the inning. Ohio attempted a rally with a two-RBI homerun over left field, but the Torero defense clamped down getting the 5-3 win in the end.
The Torero pitching staff did well Sunday as Cassidy Coleman pitching five innings striking out three batters. Chelsea Velovich pitched three innings in relief striking out three batters as well picking up her first win of the season. Jenny Lahitte pitched her third complete game of the season striking out three batters in seven innings of work picking up the win improving to 3-4 on the season.
The Toreros slow down from the busy non-conference tournament schedule as they will play two games over the next 19 days. The Toreros will face San Diego State at the SDSU Softball Stadium on Saturday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a 1:00 p.m. game on Sunday, April 3 against the Aztecs at the USD Softball Complex.
