April 4, 2014
Logan, Utah - The San José State University softball team won its first Mountain West Conference road game in a big way, besting Utah State with a 9-0, six-inning shutout on Friday.
The Spartans (20-14, 3-1 MW) took the quick lead with a run in the first. Devin Caldwell knocked a lead-off, stand-up double to left field. After a groundout and a walk, Jessie Hufstetler's sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Caldwell to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
After going scoreless in the second inning, San José State responded in a big way in the third. Jessica Garcia bombed a two-run homer, her sixth long ball of the season, just behind the centerfield fence for the 3-0 advantage.
The Spartans built on their lead in the fifth. Jessie Meyer knocked a pitch that bounced off the wall in right center, putting her on third base. The next batter, Caldwell, hit a fly ball to centerfield, plating Meyer for the 4-0 score.
San José State's bats caught fire in the sixth inning. Utah State's (14-19, 3-4 MW) pitcher Noelle Johnson walked in Devin Caldwell, before a two-RBI double by Alyssa Martinez. Garcia drove in her third and fourth runners of the game with a single down the left field line for the final 9-0 score.
On the day, three Spartans had multiple hits, helping the team post double-digit hits (11) for the 13th time this season. Martinez batted .750 (3-for-4) with two runs scored and two RBI. Garcia went 2-for-3 with four RBI and her sixth homer of the season. Erin Rodriguez was 2-for-3.
Katelyn Linford (8-8) earned her eighth win of the season in the six-inning duel. She one-hit the Aggies in 3.1 innings, walking three and striking out one. Allison Lang allowed one hit in the game's opening 2.2 innings with four walks and one strikeout.
San José State and Utah State return to LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field Saturday at 1:00 p.m.