San Jose, Calif.—The Spartan softball team scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and that is all San José State needed to defeat Mountain West leader Colorado State, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Spartan Softball Field to close out the series.
The first three Spartans in the batting order got on base and scored in the first inning. Kaelin Amrein led the game off with a walk, followed by Arianna Miranda who singled to left field and Cassidy Clark who singled to right center to load the bases. Madison Aurin then drew a bases loaded walk off of the Rams starter to score Amrein from first for a 1-0 lead.
After a Colorado State pitching change, Jenessa Ullegue reached on a fielders choice that scored Miranda from third and advanced Clark to second. Rayohna Sagapolu then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Clark for a 3-0 Spartan lead.
Starting Spartan pitcher Chrys Hildebrand pitch 6.1 innings, allowing Ram runs in the fourth and fifth innings. She allowed six hits, two earned runs, struck out one and walked one.
Caroline Bowman picked up her second save of the season as she came into the game with one Ram on and one out in the top of the seventh inning. She walked one but got the final two Ram batters to ground into outs to end Colorado State's 20-game winning streak.
"I am real pleased with our team today, and I'll take 26 wins," said Spartan head coach Peter Turner. "We just need to get our hitting back where I know we can. Our defense is getting much better We are going to get ground balls and fly balls and have to make plays. We are good enough athletes, especially defensively, we are just maturing a little later than some years.
"Chrys has had a couple good outings and did a nice job today. We have four pitchers with a variety of pitches in our rotation now, and that gives us a lot of options."
San José State is now 26-12 overall and 6-3 in the MW. The Spartans travel to San Diego State next weekend for three games on Friday (6 p.m.), Saturday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.) at SDSU Softball Stadium.