SAN DIEGO – Madison Earnshaw racked up 10 strikeouts in a complete-game performance to ensure San Diego ended the weekend with a victory as the Toreros defeated UC Riverside 6-3 on Sunday Night at the Softball Complex.
 
Earnshaw was electric in her third appearance of the season, permitting three runs – all unearned – on five hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts. It is the first victory of the freshman's collegiate career.
 
USD's (2-4) went 1-1 on the day, falling against Cal Poly 7-3 before bouncing back with the victory against the Highlanders (3-2).
 
The Toreros started five freshmen against UC Riverside and they provided a needed spark offensively and in the circle.
 
Bella Vick and Ron Simms both went 2-for-3, while Sophia Bjerk went 1-for-2. Vick double in one of her at-bats, Simms scored two runs and Bjerk added a run as well.
 
Earnshaw did the rest, shutting down the UC Riverside offense and keeping the Toreros in front for a majority of the game.
 
After falling behind 3-2 in the top of the fourth, the Toreros freshmen ignited a rally in the bottom half of the inning that led to a pair of runs and put USD back in front, 4-3. The Toreros remained in front the rest of the game.
 
USD started well against Cal Poly but were ultimately undone by a five-run third inning against the Mustangs (2-2). The Toreros responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning but that was all USD would get as the offense could not break through the remainder of the game.
 
The Toreros will look to build on their momentum next week when they continue nonconference tournament play at Arizona State.