SAN DIEGO – The San Diego softball program (8-21, 0-0 WCC) scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch, to down Rutgers (16-11, 0-0 Big Ten), 3-2 in eight innings on Thursday night at the USD Softball Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – SAN DIEGO 3, RUTGERS 2 (F/8)

• From the outset of the game, both pitchers proved to be on point, as McKenna Braegelmann led the way for the Toreros in the circle.
• Braegelmann generated a strikeout and a double play in the opening inning.
• While Rutgers earned a run in the second inning on a walk, Braegelmann danced out of a bases-loaded, no out situation to allow just one run.
• San Diego responded with a run in the second inning, as Taylor Johnson reached on a fielding error and advanced to third base on a bunt single by Amanda Limon and an additional error.
• A wild pitch would bring home Johnson and tie the game at 1-1.
• From there, Braegelmann continued to manage the game, as she went through a hitless third, fourth and fifth inning, while tallying two more strikeouts in the fifth inning.
• In the bottom half of the inning, Emma Giaime drew a hit-by-pitch and was pinch run for by Lauren Asia.
• Carly Ruiz followed up Giaime with a single to move Asia to second base.
• Tele Jennings would deliver the go-ahead run shortly thereafter with an RBI single to left field to score Asia and put the Toreros up 2-1.
• Rutgers would respond with a run in the sixth inning to force Braegelmann out of the game after 5.1 terrific innings.
• Courtney Rose took over the in the circle and didn't miss a beat, getting the final two outs of the inning and leaving a runner in scoring position.
• San Diego had a chance to go ahead in the bottom half of the sixth, but Johnson's double went for naught.
• Rose cruised through the seventh inning and the Toreros and Scarlet Knights would go to extra innings.
• With a runner placed at second base to open the eighth, the Scarlet Knights bunted her over immediately, but Rose answered by generating a pop up and groundout to keep Rutgers off the board.
• After San Diego lost their initial runner on a pick-off at second, Jennings was able to reach on a fielding error with two outs to keep the inning alive.
• The freshman delivered timely base running, as she advanced to second and third base on consecutive wild pitches.
• As Joecellia Roberts drew a full count, the Scarlet Knights threw a ball to walk Roberts but it was also a wild pitch, allowing Jennings to come home to score the winning run.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• San Diego tallied their first win over a Big Ten opponent since winning a doubleheader over Nebraska on Mar. 15, 2022.
• Rose made her 113th appearance in the circle, passing Madison Earnshaw for fourth all-time in program history. Next up is Delaney Heller (114) in third.
• Johnson became the first Torero to 10 doubles, doing so in only 22 games.

 
NEXT UP

• The Toreros will play game two against Rutgers on Friday at 4 p.m., at the USD Softball Complex.

 
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