PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Behind a walk-off, two RBI single by
Arisa Tovar, the San Diego softball program (3-12, 0-0 WCC) rallied to defeat UC Riverside (3-9, 0-0 Big West) 8-7 on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Mary Nutter Classic at the Big League Dreams Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 8, UC RIVERSIDE 7
- After high-performing offensive performance on Saturday, the Toreros got off to a slower start against UC Riverside's starter.
- Meanwhile, the Highlanders got the game's first run in the opening frame to make it 1-0 UC Riverside.
- Despite hits in the second and third inning, the Toreros were held off the scoreboard as the Highlanders added a run to make it 2-0.
- The UC Riverside lead grew to 4-0 in the fifth inning, but San Diego had a response in the bottom half of the inning.
- San Diego opened the frame with three straight hits from Tele Jennings, Tovar and Amanda Limon to load the bases with no one out.
- Mikalyn Emanuelli got the Toreros on the board with an RBI walk and Carly Ruiz quickly followed with her own RBI on a hit-by-pitch.
- UC Riverside got the next two outs, but Joecellia Roberts notched an infield RBI single and EJ Joyner recorded a pinch-hit RBI walk to tie the game at 4-4.
- Jennings returned for her second at-bat of the inning and made no mistake, lacing a two RBI double to give San Diego a 6-4 lead.
- After a scoreless sixth inning in the circle by Courtney Rose, the Highlanders were able to storm back in the seventh inning, scoring three runs to retake the lead.
- Needing a run in the bottom of the seventh, the Torero offense came alive.
- Taylor Johnson led off the inning with a single and was lifted for Dalia Powell, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
- Roberts followed that up with a single and advanced to second on the throw, setting up the Toreros with two runners in scoring position.
- Down to their final out, the Highlanders intentionally walked Jennings to set up Tovar with the bases loaded.
- The junior ripped the first pitch she saw into left field to score two runs and win the game.
TORERO TIDBITS
- With her appearance in the circle, Rose (105) took sole possession of sixth on the Toreros all-time pitching appearances list, passing Tiffany Wasilewski. Next up is Cassidy Coleman (108) in fifth.
- Two of the three Torero wins this season have come via a walk-off.
- Seven of the team's first 15 games have been decided by one run.
- Ruiz extended her hitting streak to six consecutive games and on-base streak to seven consecutive games.
NEXT UP
- The Toreros are back home next weekend, hosting Cal State Bakersfield, CSUN and UNLV for the San Diego Tournament from Mar. 1 to Mar. 3. The Toreros will open with CSUN on Friday at 2 p.m.
To stay up to date with Toreros softball, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDsoftball".