SAN JOSE, Calif. – Reina Zermeno had a perfect 3-for-3 day with three extra-base hits including her sixth home run of the season while Ahmiya Noriega tallied her second straight multi-hit game to lead San José State softball (17-20, 4-7 MW) in a 3-1 win over California (26-11, 6-6 ACC) from Spartan Softball Complex on Tuesday evening.
Zermeno continued her strong junior campaign, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and a solo home run that extended the Spartans’ lead in the fifth inning. Her three runs accounted for all of SJSU’s scoring, making her the catalyst in the Spartans’ offense tonight.
California opened the scoring in the top of the first after Elon Butler singled and scored on an RBI double by Acacia Anders, but SJSU answered right back in the bottom half. Zermeno doubled with two outs and scored on Noriega’s sharp single to right, tying the game 1–1.
In the third, Zermeno struck again with another double, later coming around on Sarah Deplitch’s RBI single down the left-field line to give the Spartans a 2–1 lead.
On the mound, senior Lacie Ham turned in a composed five-inning start, allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out one. She handed the ball over to Mia Reynolds, who was lights-out in relief, tossing two scoreless innings to earn her third save of the season.
The win is one of SJSU’s biggest of the season and comes at a crucial time as the Spartans prepare for the final stretch of conference play.
- This is SJSU’s first win and home win against Cal since 2008, when the Spartans defeated the Golden Bears 3-2.
- This was Cal’s first visit to SJSU since the 2008 season.
- This is the Spartans' first win against an ACC school since 2017 when SJSU defeated Virginia 1-0.
- Reina Zermeno: 3-for-3, HR, 2 doubles, RBI, three runs scored
- Zermeno's home run is her sixth of the season and 16th of her career.
- Zermeno now has nine doubles on the season, tying her career high.
- Ahmiya Noriega: 2-for-3, 2 singles, RBI
- Noriega now has 10 multi-hit games this season.
- Noriega's RBI in this game gives her 19 on the season, a new career high for the junior.
- Sarah Deplitch: 1-for-2, RBI-single, walk
- Deplitch now has 10 RBIs on the season.
- Shay McDowell: 1-for-3, single
- Lacie Ham: 5.0 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, W (5-5)
- Mia Reynolds: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K, SV (3)
UP NEXT: The Spartans will continue Mountain West play as they host Nevada in a three-game weekend series from Spartan Softball Complex on Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April, 13. You can watch the action on the Mountain West Network.
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