SAN DIEGO – In a highly emotional and thrilling evening, the San Diego softball program (2-7, 0-0 WCC) recorded a pair of wins, beating Southern Utah (5-4, 0-0 WAC), 4-0 and Eastern Illinois (6-3, 0-0 OVC) 3-2, on Saturday night at the USD Softball Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 4, SOUTHERN UTAH 0
- For the first time since the 2022 season, McKenna Braegelmann made the start in the circle and proved to be dynamic from the start.
- Braegelmann tallied three strikeouts in the first inning, as she went stride for stride with Southern Utah's Emily Delgado.
- Both pitchers combined to allow no hits through the first three and a half innings, before Emma Giaime broke up Delgado's no-hit bid with a single that nearly scored Michelle Delgado from second base.
- While Braegelmann extended her no-hit bid through five innings, the Toreros were finally able to strike in the bottom of the fifth.
- Arisa Tovar led off the inning with a single and Shawnese Hogue-Lacy pinch ran and advanced to second base on a bunt.
- An EJ Joyner single and a wild pitch put runners in scoring position, to set up Amanda Limon.
- Limon put the ball in play and was able to reach on a fielder's choice.
- The ball was thrown away on the play, which allowed both runs to score and give San Diego a 2-0 lead.
- Joecellia Roberts broke the game open shortly thereafter with a two-run triple and gave Braegelmann all she needed.
- Braegelmann got through the sixth inning with the no-hit bid intact, but the Thunderbirds broke it up in the seventh inning with a double.
- Nevertheless, Braegelmann remained calm to secure the one-hit shutout.
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 3, EASTERN ILLINOIS 2
- Game two proved to be yet another pitching duel, as Giaime took the circle for the Toreros and shined.
- The sophomore worked around a walk with a double play in the first inning and kept it hitless in the second.
- The Panthers would be the first to strike in the fourth inning, but the Toreros had an answer.
- Giaime helped herself with a single and Tele Jennings drover her home with an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1.
- Eastern Illinois managed to jump back into the lead with an RBI double in the sixth inning.
- With a chance to add more runs, the Panthers were stymied by Courtney Rose, who worked around a lead off hit and hit-by-pitch to generate two strikeouts and keep the game within reach.
- Needing at least a run, the Toreros generated some momentum.
- Limon singled and Carly Ruiz drew a walk, before Roberts added a walk of her own to load the bases with two outs.
- Delgado stepped to the plate and put a ball into play, generating an infield single with her speed, which also forced a bad throw that allowed the Toreros to score the winner.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Delgado becomes the first Torero freshman with two stolen bases in a game since Elisa Princic in 2021 against Biola.
NEXT UP
- The Toreros will wrap up the Torero Classic on Sunday, hosting Colorado State at 11:30 a.m.
To stay up to date with Toreros softball, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDsoftball".