Feb. 17, 2016
San Jose, Calif. - In the second weekend of the 2016 season, the San José State softball team will be in Las Vegas, Nev., Friday through Sunday for five games in the DiMarini Classic.
The Spartans play games against Utah and Wichita State on Friday. On Saturday the matchups are against Portland State and UTEP and SJSU wraps up play on Sunday against Oregon State.
LAST WEEK IS IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR
San José State had a frustrating three days at last weekend's Kajikawa Classic scoring 25 runs in six games and recording just one win. The team managed just 11 hits and three runs in its first three game, but began to turn things around as the weekend progressed. In its final three contests, the Spartans banged out 31 hits and scored 22 runs.
ABACHERLI OFF TO A HOT START
Brittany Abacherli (So., OF, Corona, Calif.) is off to a hot start. She is hitting .400 (8-for-20), has two doubles, a home run, has scored four runs and driven in six, all tops among the Spartans. In addition, Abacherli is 1-for-1 on stolen bases.
HUFFSTETLER EQUALS CAREER DOUBLES RECORD
With two doubles at last weekend's Kajikawa Classic, Jessie Hufstetler (Sr., INF, Atascadero, Calif.) moved into a tie with Veronica Ramos (2000-03) for San José State career doubles record. With a fifth innings ground-rule double against #8 Tennessee, Hufstetler equaled Ramos' record of 42 career doubles.
UP TO NUMBER FOUR IN TOTAL BASES
Jessie Hufstetler (Sr., INF, Atascadero, Calif.) entered her senior season with 289 total bases. With seven total bases in the Kajikawa Classic, she moved into fourth place ahead of Michelle Cox (293 career total bases - 2012-15). Kara Kanney (1996-98, '00) sits four bases ahead of Hufstetler in third place, with 300. Pat Martinez (1993-96) is the program's career leader with 361 total bases.
UTAH (3-3) - 2/19 11:15 a.m.
The Utes competed in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. last weekend. They posted a 3-3 record by picking up wins against Georgia State, Portland State and Boston College while losing to #24 Notre Dame, #17 Kentucky and Fresno State.
With a .500 batting average (10-for-20), Delilah Pacheco is Utah's top hitter. Anissa Urtez is the team's top run producer. She has knocked in six runs. Kate Donovan has logged a team-high 19.2 innings with a 1.07 ERA, but an 0-3 record.
WICHITA STATE (2-3) - 2/19 1:30 p.m.
The Shockers competed in the Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas last weekend. They went 2-3 with a pair of wins over Colorado State. Their losses came against #7 UCLA and two to host Texas A&M.
Wichita State's top hitter (6-for-13, .462) and run (6 RBI) producer is Paige Luelien. In the circle, Jenni Brooks has a 2-1 record and a 2.71ERA. In 10.1 innings she has allowed 11 hits and seven runs. Kaitlyn Malone has appeared in each of the team's games. She has a 0-1 record, a 4.79 ERA and has given up 14 runs on 21 hits in 19.0 innings.
PORTLAND STATE (0-5) - 2/20 3:45 p.m.
The Vikings competed in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. last weekend. They went 0-5 with losses to Stanford, Wisconsin, Utah, San Diego and host Arizona State.
Portland State's leading hitter is Brianna Celaya. Celaya is hitting .571 (8-for-14) with a .857 slugging percentage. Kortney Craker is the team 's top run producer with five RBI. Meagan Hendrix has logged a team-high 14.2 innings and allowed 17 runs on 21 hits. Her ERA is 5.73 and her record is 0-1 in four appearances, which includes one start.
UTEP (2-3) - 2/20 6:00 p.m.
The Miners opened the season splitting a pair of home game against Incarnate Word and then went 1-2 in the New Mexico State Invitational in Las Cruces, N.M. Their win in the tournament was against Incarnate Word and they lost twice against host New Mexico State.
UTEP's top hitter is Kaitlin Ryder who is 8-for-13 (.615) with a team leading six runs. Courtney Clayton and Kiki Pepi lead the team with seven RBIs each. Danielle Pearson is 1-0 with a 2.62 ERA. In 8.0 innings she had allowed 11 hits and six runs while striking out six.
OREGON STATE (4-1) - 2/21 1:30 p.m.
The Beavers competed in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. last weekend. They went 4-1 with wins over #18 Kentucky, Cal State Northridge, New Mexico and a 14-10 victory against San José State. The lone loss came against Cal Poly.
Oregon State's leading hitter is McKenna Arriola who is hitting .556 (10-for-18). With 10 RBIs, Natalie Hampton is the team's top run producer. Meehra Nelson is 3-0 in the circle with three complete games. She has allowed three runs in 21.1 innings for a 0.98 ERA.