SAN JOSE, Calif. - Reina Zermeno went 4-for-6 with four RBIs and a pair of doubles to lead San José State softball (1-8, 0-0 MW) in a 7-6 extra inning loss to Utah (7-2, 0-0 Big 12) and an 11-5 loss to Illinois State (6-4, 0-0 MVC) in the second day of the SVC Classic I on Saturday from Spartan Softball Stadium.
Game 1: Illinois State 11, San José State 5
The Spartans jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the opening frame. Carly Cummings singled to start the rally, and Ahmiya Noriega reached base before Zermeno lifted a sacrifice fly to score the first run. Sarah Deplitch followed with an RBI single to give SJSU early momentum.
San José State answered again in the third. After Cummings reached on a bunt single, Taylor Chillingworth tripled to right to drive in a run, and Zermeno added an RBI double to knot the game at 4–4.
Zermeno paced the Spartans offensively, finishing 2-for-2 with three RBIs. Noriega collected two hits and scored twice, while Cummings added two hits at the top of the order.
Illinois State used a six-run fourth inning to seize control, but the Spartans continued to battle, adding a run in the fifth on Zermeno’s RBI single.
Game 2: Utah 7, San José State 6 (8 Innings)
In the nightcap, San José State delivered one of its most complete offensive performances of the young season, forcing extra innings before falling 7–6 to Utah.
The Spartans wasted no time, scoring twice in the first inning. Noriega singled and stole second before Shay McDowell tripled to right to bring her home. Zermeno followed with an RBI double to make it 2–0.
SJSU capitalized on Utah miscues in the third inning, plating three runs to extend the lead to 5–0. Deplitch delivered an RBI single in the rally, while aggressive base running and pressure at the plate kept the defense on its heels.
McDowell finished with a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI. Zermeno added two hits and an RBI, while Deplitch and Samantha Blachly each recorded multi-hit efforts.
Utah responded with a four-run seventh inning to tie the contest with two outs and added two runs in the eighth. The Spartans answered in the bottom half, scoring once and bringing the tying run into scoring position before the rally fell short.
In the circle, Norah Coulsell went the distance, throwing eight innings and striking out three.
- Zermeno recorded four hits and four RBIs across the doubleheader.
- Noriega reached base four times on the day and stole a base in the Utah game.
- Deplitch went 3-for-7 with two RBIs
- The Spartans scored 11 runs over two games against strong nonconference competition.
UP NEXT: The Spartans host the third and final day of the Silicon Valley Classic I on Sunday at Spartan Softball Stadium, and tickets are available here.
#AllSpartans