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Spartans Lose Two On Second Day Of Judi Garman Classic

March 5, 2016

Final Stats vs. BaylorFinal Stats vs. Long Beach State

Fullerton, Calif. - In day two of the Judi Garman Classic on Friday, the San José State University softball team lost a pair against #24/22-ranked Baylor Bears in the day game and the night cap against Long Beach State with the first pitch close to nine o'clock.

The San José State offense could not back up the strong starting pitching in both games as the Spartans were held to one extra base hit for the day and scored one run in each game.

"We're playing better and fixing things we need to fix," said Spartans head coach Peter Turner. "Unfortunately, we are playing against some of the best competition in the NCAA."

The Spartans have now lost their last seven games, playing against four top-25 ranked teams in the span, and have been held under three runs in each of those losses.

No. 24/22 Baylor 6, San José State 1

San José State (5-14) got off to a 1-0 lead in the first inning but lost to #24/22-ranked Baylor Bears 6-1 as the Spartans were held to seven hits, all singles, and was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Spartans jumped to a 1-0 lead, their first lead of the tournament, when Brittany Abacherli, who led the game with a walk, scored on a wild pitch.

Emily Rogers (0-2) made her third start of the season for the Spartans and kept the Bears in check for the first four innings, allowing only two hits and an unearned run.

Heading into the fifth, with the game tied 1-1, the Bears put runners on first and second with no out. Jessie Scroggins hit a sharp liner to Spartan pitcher Rogers, who made the catch and doubled up the runner at second. With two outs, Kyla Walker stole second on a close call, which would have ended the inning, but the Bears took advantage of the situation as the next hitter, Lindsey Cargill (4-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) hit a double to left center to bring in Walker to put the Bears up 2-1.

Shelby Friudenberg followed with another double to score Cargill as Baylor went up 3-1.

In the sixth inning, freshman Ashley Penney relieved Rogers and walked Baylor's leadoff batter before giving up a double to Robin Landrith. The next batter, Ari Hawkins hit a deep fly ball that Spartan centerfielder Brittany Abacherli caught but she ran hard into the outfield fence. While Abacherli hung onto the ball and gathered herself to throw the ball in, the Baylor runners from second and third scored on the sacrifice fly to make it a 5-1 game.

Baylor 6, San Jose State 1 (Mar 04, 2016 at Fullerton, Calif.)

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Baylor.............. 001 022 1 - 6 8 1 (12-3)

San Jose State...... 100 000 0 - 1 7 1 (5-14)

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Pitchers: Baylor - Selman; Potts(6) and Landrith. San Jose State - Rogers, Emily;

PENNEY, Ashley(6) and Avila, Alyssa.

Win-Selman(3-2) Loss-ROGERS, Emily(0-2) T-1:50 A-210


Long Beach State 2, San José State 1

Playing underneath the lights where the first pitch was close to nine o'clock, the night cap was a freshman pitcher's duel on a cool, crisp night at Anderson Family Field.

Spartan freshman Chantelle Ladner (3-6) pitched a six-inning complete game, only allowing two runs on six hits. However, it was Long Beach State's freshman, Cielo Meza who won the battle of the freshmen pitchers as she gave up one run on two hits, while striking out 15 Spartans.

"Baylor's pitcher was throwing hard and baffling us. To do that against last year's number seven hitting team in us, I have to give props to her," said Turner.

In the first three innings, Meza struck out eight Spartans out of the nine outs recorded while allowing two walks. The first Spartan hit came in the fourth inning on a leadoff infield single by Jessica Madrid.

Ladner's pitching was not as dominant as her counterpart's, as she did not strike out any Long Beach State batters, but it was nearly as effective. Her only blemish was giving up a run in the first and third innings.

In the third, the 49ers loaded the bases with no outs after two singles and walk. But Ladner forced the 49ers into three fielder's choices to minimize the damage to only one run.

Meza was pitching a shutout going into the seventh inning when she gave up a leadoff walk to Madrid. On a heads up base running by Madrid, she scored from first on a double by pinch-hitter Madison Aurin to cut Long Beach State's lead, 2-1. With the tying run at second, Meza struck out the next two Spartans to finish the game.

The Spartans (5-15) will play one game on Saturday, March 5 against Northwestern at 10:00 a.m. PST in their last game at the Judi Garman Classic.

Long Beach State 2, San Jose State 1 (Mar 04, 2016 at Fullerton, Calif.)

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San Jose State...... 000 000 1 - 1 2 1 (5-15)

Long Beach State.... 101 000 X - 2 6 0 (11-7)

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Pitchers: San Jose State - Ladner, Chantelle and Luna, Alexandra. Long Beach State - Meza and

MacLeod.

Win-Meza(5-4) Loss-LADNER, Chantelle(3-6) T-1:25 A-1517

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