SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose State softball put a bow on the 2021 season on Saturday afternoon, falling to Colorado State 3-1 in 11 innings in the series/season finale. The Spartans finish the season 9-23 and 5-13 in league play.
Four seniors were honored prior to the start of the game in a Senior Day ceremony - Makayla Englestad, Grace Garvey, Janessa Lozano and Rayohna Sagapolu. Fellow senior Caroline Bowman plans to take advantage of the free year granted by the NCAA and return for the Spartans next season.
The game itself lasted three hours and 19 minutes as neither team was able to seal the deal in regulation for the second time in as many days. Colorado State drew first blood in the first on a RBI groundout, but the Spartans had an answer in the home half as Lozano drove in the tying run on a sacrifice fly. The scoring then calmed on both sides for the remainder of regulation before the Rams broke through in the top of the eighth on a successful double steal attempt. Once again, San Jose State had an answer as Garvey laced a RBI single to re-tie it. The Spartans were in prime position to walk-off in the eighth with two runners on and no outs, but three-straight strikeouts ended the scoring opportunity. SJSU finished with 11 runners left on base.
Colorado State scored what would prove to be the winning run in the top of the 11th. After a questionable play at first on a sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in the Rams' batter reaching safely on a throwing error, Colorado State had runners on the corners with no outs. On the next sequence, the Rams attempted another double steal attempt, and although Garvey's throwdown to second resulted in one out, the runner from third was able to slide in safely for the go-ahead score. San Jose State was unable to answer for a third time as they were retired in order to end the game and the season.
The Spartans finished with six hits to Colorado State's eight. Alyssa Graham led the way with a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Bowman worked the first 10.0 innings in the circle, allowing just two runs on seven hits before giving way to Jenessa Ullegue to start the 11th. Ullegue (6-9) was charged with the loss after giving up the go-ahead run.
Colorado State used four pitchers in the winning effort with Sydney Hornbuckle (2-0) picking up the win after two innings of work. Starting pitcher Danielle Serna led the Rams offense with three hits and also scored the game-winning run.