March 30, 2014
Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
San Jose, Calif. - The San José State University softball team made school history on Sunday with a 14-4, five-inning win and a 4-2 victory over Mountain West foes UNLV.
The Spartans' 13 runs scored in the fourth inning of the weekend's second game was a program record, and the team's 2-1 Mountain West series win was the first in school history. The 13 runs scored also tied the Mountain West record for runs scored in an inning, set by Fresno State last weekend.
San José State's (18-14, 2-1 MW) first game of the day picked up in the top of the fourth inning with the score tied, 1-1, after rain on Saturday postponed the series' middle game.
After a leadoff groundout for the Spartans in the bottom of the fourth, eight-straight batters reached base safely on either singles or walks. An infield fly interrupted another string of eight Spartans reaching base. Twelve hits, all singles, and four walks plated 13 runners. Michelle Cox, Jessie Meyer and Nicole Schultz each scored two runs, while Cox and Sharon-Renae Estrada were the only two batters to drive in multiple runners. At the end of the fourth inning, which saw 19 Spartan plate appearances, San José State held a 14-1 lead.
UNLV's (14-20, 4-2 MW) Patrice Monreal bombed a two-run homer after Stefany Juarez scored on an error by Katelyn Linford for the final 14-4, five-inning San José State win.
Linford's record improved to 7-8 following the record-setting win. She scattered nine hits and allowed four runs while striking out two batters in 4.1 innings. Allison Lang retired the game's final two batters, relieving Linford in the fifth inning.
In the series finale, the Spartans capitalized on defensive errors by UNLV in the second inning. After back-to-back leadoff singles put runners on second and third, Jessie Meyer hit a low ball to right field, scoring Marissa Toy. In the next at bat, Meyer stole second and, in an attempt to thwart the play, UNLV's catcher overthrew the ball to the second baseman, allowing Rodriguez to score. After a walk and a groundout, Alyssa Martinez hit the ball to low centerfield, driving in Jessie Meyer. The Rebels' centerfielder, however, mishandled the ball, giving time for Casey Watt to get the 4-0 run.
UNLV plated one runner each in the third and fourth innings off of an RBI-double and a Spartan error. But quality defensive play by San José State, including a sixth-inning double play, and strong relief pitching by Madison Fish helped the Spartans to its 4-2 series-clinching win.
Fish pitched 1.2 perfect innings in relief, striking out two of her four batters faced to earn her first save of the season. Lang (7-4) scattered six hits and allowed one earned run, walking six and fanning one, in 5.1 innings of work.
Schultz was the Spartans' top hitter against the Rebels. During the three-game set, she batted .500 (5-for-10) with two runs scored and an RBI. Estrada collected a team-high five RBI, while Cox, Garcia and Martinez each drove in three runners.
Making appearances in all three games, Lang picked up her seventh win of the season during the series, posting a 0.88 ERA and holding the Rebels to a .226 batting average.
San José State hosts #23-Stanford for a single non-conference midweek matchup on Tuesday, April 1 at 4:00 p.m.
San Jose State 14, UNLV 4 (Mar 29, 2014 at San Jose, Calif.)
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UNLV................ 010 0 3 - 4 9 0 (14-19, 4-1 MW)
San Jose State...... 100 (13)X - 14 16 1 (18-14, 1-1 MW)
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Pitchers: UNLV - ETTINGER, Morgan; PETROLIA, Alex(4) and HASLINGER, Emily. San Jose State -
Linford, Katelyn; LANG, Allison(5) and Garcia, Jessica.
Win-LINFORD, Katelyn(7-8) Save-LANG, Allison(3) Loss-ETTINGER, Morgan(6-5)
HR UNLV - MONREAL, Pauline.
San Jose State 4, UNLV 2 (Mar 30, 2014 at San Jose, Calif.) (Game 2)
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UNLV................ 001 100 0 - 2 6 4 (14-20, 4-2 MW)
San Jose State...... 040 000 X - 4 7 1 (19-14, 2-1 MW)
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Pitchers: UNLV - OLIVETO, Amanda and HASLINGER, Emily. San Jose State - Lang, Allison;
FISH, Madison(6) and Garcia, Jessica.
Win-LANG, Allison(7-4) Save-FISH, Madison(1) Loss-OLIVETO, Amanda(7-11)