SAN DIEGO – Behind a season-high in runs scored, the San Diego softball program (10-18-1, 0-0 WCC) took home a split on Friday, falling to South Dakota (11-13, 0-0 Summit), 2-1, but winning the nightcap, 14-2 in five innings over Colgate (8-16, 0-0 Patriot) at the USD Softball Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 1, SOUTH DAKOTA 2

• The Toreros offense created opportunities early in the game, with a hit each in the first three innings, but were unable to break through and support starting pitcher Ashley Daugherty.
• The Coyotes were the first to strike off a wild pitch and then added another run in the fourth for a 2-0 lead.
• San Diego continued to press, outhitting the Coyotes 9-5 in the game and got a runner in scoring position in the fifth inning but were unable to get her home.
• Needing a response in the bottom of the seventh, the Toreros nearly pulled off the rally.
• Arisa Tovar led off the inning with a single and advanced to third base on a wild pitch and ground out.
• Amanda Limon extended the game with two outs left, placing a key single into center field to cut the lead to 2-1.
• After a single by Izzy Owen, Limon advanced to third to set up Emma Giaime.
• The freshman got a pitch to hit and laced a ball down the third base line, that was snared on a diving play by the Coyotes third baseman to save the win for the visitors.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 14, COLGATE 2 (F/5)

• While the offense struggled to break through in game one, they did not have the same issue in game two, immediately responding to their early 1-0 deficit.
• The first five Toreros reached safely in the opening inning, as EJ Joyner drove in the first run with a bases loaded walk.
• Joecellia Roberts added an RBI single, but the Toreros took advantage of several Colgate mistakes in the frame, adding runs on a wild pitch, error and a sacrifice fly to lead 5-1.
• After a Colgate run in the second inning, the Toreros continued to pour in runs in the bottom of the second inning.
• This time, the first six Toreros reached safely, as Daugherty opened the scoring with a two-run double to make it 7-1.
• Roberts added another RBI with a double and Tovar also doubled in two runs for a 10-2 lead.
• The next inning, the Toreros loaded the bases on two walks and an error to set up KJ Hopfer, who drove in two with an RBI single.
• Limon added another RBI with a single as the lead ballooned to 13-2.
• The win was punctuated in the fourth inning by the first collegiate RBI from Natalie McCliman on a sacrifice fly to make it 14-2.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• The 14 runs against Colgate are the most in a game for the program since a 16-8 win over Cal State Bakersfield on Mar. 19, 2017.
• The Toreros finished with their most drawn walks of the season and the most since Mar. 26, 2022 with eight on the night.
• Owen turned in a 5-for-6 day with two runs scored and has raised her batting average to .407 on the season.
• Joyner set a single game career-high with three walks in the win over Colgate.
• The Toreros improved to 8-2 in games where they record at least two extra-base hits.

 
UP NEXT
The Toreros are back in action on Saturday, facing South Dakota and Colgate once again, at 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m.