April 13, 2014
San Jose, Calif. - Timely hitting and strong pitching by Allison Lang led the San José State University softball team to a 5-0 shutout of New Mexico on Sunday to win the Mountain West Series, 2-1.
The Spartans have won their three conference series this season.
Timely hitting led San José State (23-16, 6-3 MW) to a three-run fourth inning. With no outs and the bases loaded, Erin Rodriguez hit a single up the middle, pushing across Alyssa Martinez and Jessie Meyer for the 2-0 score. After a groundout, Casey Watt knocked the ball to deep center field to plate Rodriguez for the 3-0 lead.
The Spartans took advantage of a New Mexico (12-27, 3-9 MW) error in the bottom of the sixth to tack on another two runs. Michelle Cox hit the ball near the Lobos' second baseman. But in an attempt to make the play, she bobbled the ball and allowed Devin Caldwell and Casey Watt to cross home plate for the final 5-0 score.
Lang's second shutout of the season improved her record to 8-4. She held the Lobos to three hits: one each in the second, fifth and sixth innings. The junior struck out four, including the game's final batter, and walked one.
Lang's work in the circle was supported by strong Spartan defense. The team made its 17th double play of the season, in the second inning, and, in the fourth, caught a Lobo attempt to steal second base.
After losing to New Mexico, 9-4, in 10 innings on Friday, San José State shored up its play to win the Mountain West series. Over the weekend, Rodriguez was the Spartans' top hitter. She batted .750 (6-for-8) and posted a .750 slugging percentage, scoring two runs and driving in four.
San José State travels to Boise State next weekend, opening its series against the Broncos on Thursday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. (MST).
San Jose State 5, New Mexico 0 (Apr 13, 2014 at San Jose, Calif.)
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New Mexico.......... 000 000 0 - 0 3 2 (12-27, 3-9 MW)
San Jose State...... 000 302 X - 5 7 0 (23-16, 6-3 MW)
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Pitchers: New Mexico - McPHERSON, Tess; SOLES, Lauren(4); SHEEHAN, Carrie(6) and TELLEZ, Naomi.
San Jose State - Lang, Allison and Garcia, Jessica.
Win-LANG, Allison(7-4) Loss-McPHERSON, Tess(0-6)