SAN DIEGO - The Toreros (5-5) completed an opening day sweep against Idaho State (3-9), winning both games of a double header on Monday at the USD Softball Complex.
 
In game one, Delaney Heller (3-4) got the start in the circle and earned her second shutout of the year in a 4-0 victory. Madison Earnshaw (2-0) earned the start in game two and put in 4.1 innings of work before Halle Kyler entered for the final two innings to secure the 8-3 win.
 
"We had better quality at bats in the second game and that had to do with having a good eye and picking out the right pitches," said head coach Jessica Pistole. "We set ourselves up for the big hits, and we kept it simple, one hit at a time."
 
GAME ONE
Heller was dominant in the circle for San Diego, tossing a two-hit shutout in seven innings of work, walking five and striking out four.
 
At the plate, the Toreros were paced by junior Kyler, who went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Sophomore Kelli Kufta was also potent at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. In the designated player spot, Lauren Hendrickson tacked on more offensive production for San Diego with one hit in two trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
 
The Toreros struck early, scoring immediately in the bottom of the first off an RBI single to center field from Sara Silveyra to score Madison Casiano from second.
 
San Diego continued to hold the Bengals scoreless before striking again sixth. Hendrickson hit a liner to left center to score the first then Kyler followed it up with a two-RBI double to make it 4-0 USD.
 
Heller then closed out the side with a one, two, three inning in the top of the seventh to secure the 4-0 win.
 
GAME TWO
San Diego's offense exploded in game two of the double header, scoring seven runs in the first inning.
 
Sophomore Sophia Bjerk led the way offensively for the Toreros, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a three-RBI double. Kufta continued her noteworthy performance, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. Senior Casiano also built upon game one, hitting .500 with a double and an RBI.
 
The first inning saw a single from Kufta to make it 2-0 USD, before Bjerk drove a three-RBI double to extend the lead. The Toreros never looked back after the first, tacking on one more run in the second.
 
The Bengals answered back, putting one run on the board in the third and fourth. Kyler then came on, making an impact in the circle to throw 2.2 scoreless innings allowing only two hits with no walks and a strikeout.
 
San Diego then closed out the side in the seventh for the 8-3 victory.
 
The Toreros are back in action on Friday night as they'll open up play in the Mary Nutter Classic with matchups against Arizona State and the United States Olympic Team. San Diego will then face New Mexico and Bethune Cookman on Saturday to close out its third tournament appearance.
 
"We need to be confident in who we are, confident in our training, and above all else just trust and love each other," said Pistole. "The game is the game. It doesn't know who is supposed to win or what name is across everybody's chest. We need to be confident in that going into Friday's games."