SAN DIEGO – The San Diego softball program (13-19-1, 0-0 WCC) wrapped up their lengthy homestand with a doubleheader split against St. Thomas (8-19, 0-0 Summit), winning game one 2-0, before falling 4-3 in the nightcap at the USD Softball Complex on Wednesday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 2, ST. THOMAS 0

• In the opening matchup of the day, both starting pitchers got off to tremendous starts, with each allowing only one baserunner through the first inning.
• Emma Giaime was the starter for San Diego and exhibited tremendous control throughout the game, allowing no walks and only four hits over six innings.
• While Giaime handled the St. Thomas offense, the Toreros found ways to get creative on the base paths and engaged in small ball tactics.
• Mikalyn Emanuelli led off the fourth inning with a single and then used her speed to move to third base off a wild pitch and stolen base.
• After an EJ Joyner walk, the Toreros perfectly executed a double steal, as Emanuelli slid around the tag for a 1-0 lead.
• Taylor Johnson was able to keep the inning alive with a single, but Joyner was quick on her feet when St. Thomas committed a throwing error and scored from third base to increase the lead to 2-0.
• Giaime would take over from there, allowing one hit each of her last two innings, but danced around trouble to finish off six scoreless frames.
• Madison Earnshaw took over for the save, but faced early adversity with the bases loaded and no one out after two Torero errors.
• The redshirt senior remained composed and held the Tommies off the board to secure the shutout.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 3, ST. THOMAS 4

• Both offenses started quicker in game two, with at least one baserunner each through the first three innings.
• The Toreros would be the first team to strike in the third inning, as KJ Hopfer opened the inning with a double and would be driven home by Joecellia Roberts on an RBI single to make it 1-0.
• While Ashley Daugherty went through four scoreless innings, the Tommies were able to strike for a two-run home run in the fifth to take the lead.
• St. Thomas extended the lead to 4-1 in the sixth inning and the Toreros attempted a rally in the seventh.
• Izzy Owen preserved the game with a single and Emanuelli drew a walk to set up Roberts.
• Roberts delivered late game heroics again, nearly tying the game with a two RBI triple off the right field wall to cut the lead to 4-3.
• However, the Tommies were able to strand Roberts at third base to end the game in their favor.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• With her RBI today, Roberts set a new career-high with 21 RBI on the season. Roberts is just two RBI off last season's RBI leader Noelle Hee.
• Emanuelli extended her on-base streak to 10 consecutive games, becoming the first Torero to do so this season.
• Emanuelli is now 10-for-10 in stolen bases this season, becoming the first Torero to open her season with 10 consecutive stolen bases since Taylor Spence in 2018.
• Owen recorded her seventh, three-hit game of the season.

 
UP NEXT
The Toreros will get a lengthy break, before returning to action at the Bear Down Fiesta, hosted by Arizona from Mar. 31 to Apr. 1.