March 24, 2016 Box Score
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The USD softball team (11-20) knocked off Cal State Bakersfield 6-1 Thursday morning in their first game of the Gaucho Classic II in Santa Barbara, Calif. Outfielders Olivia Sandusky and Taylor Spence both went 2-3 with three combined RBI.
The Roadrunners got a run in the first, scoring an unearned run on a RBI infield single. The Toreros immediately tied it up in the top of the second, but missed an opportunity to take an early big lead. Tatum Schultz led off the inning with a walk, and then Mary Grabowski reached on a Bakersfield error, that allowed her to advance to third base. However, Schultz was thrown out at home on the play. Grabowski would score on a RBI single to left by senior Sierra Berryessa. After an Olivia Sandusky walk, USD had the bases loaded, but couldn't bring home the go-ahead run.
After going hitless in the next two innings, the Toreros took the lead in the fifth inning when Sandusky, who reached on a single, scored on a wild pitch.
The Toreros put the game out of reach in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on five hits. Sarah Stone knocked in Danielle Mavridis with a RBI single through the left side, and then Sandusky brought in Stone and pinch runner Hannah Gilliland with a double to the right center gap. The Toreros' final run of the inning came on a Taylor Spence RBI bunt single, where Sandusky raced home from second.
Megan Sabbatini (5-11) was brilliant and earned the win after missing a few starts. She pitched five innings, allowing no earned runs while striking out five. Grace Hernandez pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game.
The Toreros will be back on the diamond Thursday afternoon when they face Seattle at approximately 2:00 p.m. The Redhawks beat USD 4-2 last Friday in Santee.
