ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - There was no shortage of offense in San Jose State softball's Saturday doubleheader split against New Mexico as the Spartans tallied a combined 26 hits for the day. The Spartans exploded for a season-high 13 runs to take game one 13-5 before New Mexico took game two in a 10-2 final.
San Jose State is now 5-9 in Mountain West play and 9-19 overall. The Spartans and Lobos will play the rubber match tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. PT.
Game One - San Jose State 13, New Mexico 5
The Spartans scored early and often as they took full advantage of the Albuquerque altitude by recording a season-best 13 runs on 17 hits, five of which went for extra bases, and 12 RBI. Nine of 10 players in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit with Jillian Figueroa and Malia Luna leading the pack with three hits each. Jessica Giacoma, Alyssa Graham and Makayla Englestad also finished with multi-hit outings with Giacoma and Graham also notching three RBI each to pace the team.
The Spartans drew first blood in the opening inning with Graham securing the game's first two runs on a 2-RBI double. The Lobos evened the score in home half of the first on a 2-run double, but Giacoma quickly grabbed the lead right back in the third on a RBI single. Jocylyn Vidal and Luna extended the lead in the fourth on a pair of RBI singles before the Spartans took a firm grasp on the contest in the fourth by putting up four runs to take a 9-2 lead. Jenessa Ullegue started the scoring spree off after stealing third base and advancing home on a throwing error. Rayohna Sagapolu and Vidal plated two more on back-to-back RBI putouts before Luna brought home on a fielding error.
The Lobos would get a couple runs back late, but the Spartans made sure to calm any noise by posting another four-run inning in the top of the seventh. Ashley Rico plated the first on a RBI single before Giacoma and Graham scored three more on back-to-back doubles.
Not to be outshone by the offense, Caroline Bowman was excellent in the circle for the Spartans as she picked up her third win of the season. After allowing the first inning homer, the senior worked four scorless innings before the Lobos put up a couple runs off her in the sixth. Bowman finished the day with four strikeouts against six hits. She gave way for Ullegue, who took over for the final two innings and allowed just one run on two hits to close the door on New Mexico.
Game Two - New Mexico 10, San Jose State 2
Although the Spartans continued to hit the ball well in game two, it was New Mexico's turn to put up crooked numbers in the run column as the Lobos jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and crusied to a 10-2 victory in five innings.
Both teams tallied nine hits with Sagapolu, Englestad and Arianna Miranda leading the Spartans with two hits each. Sagapolu plated SJSU's first run in the third on a solo home run to dead center. The homer was the first by any Spartan since March 21 when Vidal hit a solo shot against Fresno State. Giacoma followed up with a sacrfice fly in the third to plate the only other run for the Spartans.
Ullegue (6-8) got the starting nod in the circle but was lifted after giving up four early runs in the first. Vidal, Sagapolu and Jackie Rookaird strung together a group effort to work the final 3.1 innings.