March 6, 2015
Michigan Box Score
Fullerton, Calif. - The San José State softball team split a pair of games on the second day of the Judi Garman Classic, throttling the Iowa Hawkeyes, 11-2 in game two, but getting run ruled in game one, 9-1 in five innings, against third-ranked Michigan.
"Despite the score of the game against Michigan," said head coach Peter Turner, "I thought (Allison) Lang threw well today. Our biggest issue is that we need to calm down when we play ranked teams. We're making more of them than they deserve. We are allowing the ranking effect the way we play. Until we just go out there, forget that there is a number in front of their name, and play to our ability we are going to continue to struggle in those games."
Game 1 vs. #3 Michigan
Three Spartans' pitchers, Allison Lang, Berlyn Rippentrop and Katelyn Linford, combined to give up 12 hits and nine runs as the third-ranked Michigan Wolverines (20-2) needed only five innings to dispatch San José State in a 9-1 decision.
The Spartans (15-8) had opportunities to score in both the first and second inning, but were unable to cash in. In the first, Jessica Madrid reached on a one-out error and was followed by Jessie Hufstetler who was hit by Michigan starter Megan Besta. SJSU had two chances to drive in the first run of the inning, but Sharon-Renae Estrada struck out and Alyssa Martinez flied out to end the threat.
In the second, Erin Rodriguez was hit by Besta and three batters later Casey Lester walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. Michelle Cox came up with a chance to drive in a run or advance the runners, but her bunt attempt was sniffed out and by the Wolverine defense and for the second consecutive inning the Spartans left two runners on base.
Lang, who got the start for San José State, scattered two hits in the first two innings, but got rocked in the third. After hitting the lead off batter, she gave an RBI double, a single and then a three-run home run. A walk, a groundout and an RBI single plated the fifth run of the inning on four hits.
"I pulled (Lang) after the third because I knew we would need her in the second game," said Turner. "It was also a good opportunity to get some people work out of the pen and off the bench."
Rippentrop came in to start the fourth and on the fourth batter she faced, gave up a two-out two-run homer. After the bomb, she surrendered a single and walked two, before inducing a fielder's choice to end the frame with the bases loaded. Michigan led 7-0 after four innings.
The Spartans got their run in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Anessa Pinedo walked and Brittany Abacherli came in to pinch run. After back-to-back singles from Madrid and Jessie Hufstetler, Abacherli scored. Estrada walked to load the bases, but Kaylor fouled out with three runners on to end the inning. Through four and a half innings Michigan led 7-1.
A solo home run started the bottom of the fifth for the Wolverines and spelled the end of the day for Rippentrop. Linford entered and loaded the bases with a single, walk and hit batter. A single to the right side plated Michigan's ninth run and ended the game.
Besta earned the win for the Wolverines in allowing just the two hits in the fifth. She improves to 9-1 on the year. Lang (4-4) was the loser. She gave up five earned runs in six hits in three innings. Rippentrop went one inning and surrendered three runs on four hits. Linford surrendered one run on two hits in one third of an inning.
Sierra Romero was 3-for-3 with five RBI and two runs for Michigan.
Michigan 9, San Jose State 1 (Mar 06, 2015 at Fullerton, Calif.)----------------------------------------------------------------------San Jose State...... 000 01 - 1 2 0 (15-8)Michigan............ 005 22 - 9 12 2 (20-2)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: San Jose State - Lang, Allison; RIPPENTROP, Berlyn(4);
LINFORD, Katelyn(5) and Entzminger, Emma; Conchas, Daisy. Michigan - Betsa and Sweet.
Win-Betsa(9-1) Loss-LANG, Allison(4-4) T-1:28 A-1042 HR MICH - Romero 2; Swearingen.
Weather: Mostly Sunny 66 degreesRIPPENTROP faced 1 batter in the 5th.
Game 2 vs. Iowa
The Spartans (16-8) pounded out 18 hits and scored early and often against Hawkeye pitching en route to an 11-2 victory.
Alyssa Martinez, Nicole Schultz and Jessie Hufstetler each had three hits. Taylor Purdy, Michelle Cox and Jessica Madrid had two hits apiece.
"Against Iowa, we were much more selective at the plate," said Turner. "We worked the count in our favor and when they had to come in the took advantage of them."
Martinez got the scoring going in the top of the first with an RBI single to left which plated Madrid, who had gotten on via a walk. SJSU led 1-0 after half an inning.
Allison Lang, getting her second starting assignment of the day, set Iowa (6-12) down in order in the bottom of the first and the Spartan bats were right back at it in the second.
Purdy walked to open the inning and two batters later scored on Schultz's RBI double down the left field line. Three batters after that, following a groundout and walk, Hufstetler singled in Schultz. Sharon-Renae Estrada walked to load the bases and Martinez drove in her second run in as many innings with a single to left giving the Spartans a 4-0 lead.
Iowa got on the board in the bottom of the third. A lead off walk and one-out single put two on. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Two batters later Lang uncorked her second wild pitch, which scored the runner from third and cut the lead to 4-1.
Six hits and three runs in the fifth for San José State put the game out of reach. Erin Rodriguez and Purdy each singled to left to open the inning, which sent Iowa starter Ashley Yoways to the bench. Jillian Navarrete, her replacement, lasted just one-third of an inning. She got the first batter she faced but after that, three straight hitters, Schultz, Cox and Madrid, picked up singles. Schultz and Madrid's were RBI hits.
The Hawkeyes brought in their third pitcher of the inning Shayla Starkenburg who promptly gave up an RBI-single to Hufstetler. Estrada was walked with the bases loaded to push across the third run of the inning and a 7-1 lead.
In the seventh, SJSU racked up six more hits and four more runs. Hufstetler was walked with the bases loaded to push a run across. Two batters later, with the bases still loaded, Martinez singled to center plating two more. Two batters after that, with the bases loaded again, Purdy drove in the team's final run of the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, Lang was replaced by Berlyn Rippentrop who gave up a one out home run for the final score of 11-2.
Lang improved to 5-4 on the year going 6.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits.
The Spartans wrap up play at the Judi Garman Classic on Saturday against 22nd-ranked Arizona State. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
San Jose State 11, Iowa 2 (Mar 06, 2015 at Fullerton, Calif.)----------------------------------------------------------------------San Jose State...... 130 030 4 - 11 18 0 (16-8)Iowa................ 001 000 1 - 2 6 2 (6-12)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: San Jose State - Lang, Allison; RIPPENTROP, Berlyn(7) and Entzminger, Emma; Conchas, Daisy.
Iowa - Yoways; Navarrete(5); Starkenburg(5) and Hoffman.
Win-LANG, Allison(5-4) Loss-Yoways(2-6) T-2:03 A-1042 HR IOWA - Wood.
Weather: Mostly Sunny 82 degreesYoways faced 2 batters in the 5th.