UCSD competed in two doubleheaders this week, falling short in two games against Point Loma Nazarene at Point Loma, Calif., on April 7, and sweeping a pair against California Collegiate Athletic Association opponent Grand Canyon University at UCSD on April 10.
The Tritons started their set off against Point Loma Nazarene by losing a heartbreaking pitchers’ duel 1-0. Freshman Tina Rowe failed to receive any run support, suffering her fifth loss of the season and bringing her record to 7-5 on the year.
UCSD’s offense only managed four hits in the game, with two coming from senior third baseman Amy Mettee, who went two-for-three. Sophomore rightfielder Niki Anderson and junior first baseman Jamie Hurst were the only other Tritons to get base hits.
The second game against Point Loma felt like deja vu, with both pitchers again turning in strong performances, ending in a 2-1 UCSD loss. Senior Jodie Bland hurled a complete game and suffered her 10th loss of the season, despite giving up only two earned runs. This loss puts her season record at 10-10.
Offense for the Tritons managed only two hits this game, but the was still able to produce a run. Freshman designated player Melanie Meurer was the lone Triton to cross the plate, going one-for-two for the day, while senior second baseman Kim Aggabao went one-for-three to add the second hit.
“The highlight of [the Point Loma doubleheader] was that both our pitchers pitched really great games, and that was something that was lacking in our tournament last week,” head coach Patti Gerckens said. “Our pitching staff definitely came back strong so that was great to see. Our hitting, our bats, were nonexistent; we needed to get it all together.”
UCSD was finally able to get it all together as they started their doubleheader against Grand Canyon with a 5-3 victory at home on April 10.
Starting pitcher Rowe went the distance, earning her eighth win of the season, and her first win since returning from a back injury. Her season record is now 8-5.
The sleeping dragon that was the Triton’s offense during the week finally awoke from its slumber, as UCSD jumped to a quick three-run lead in the first inning. Mettee started the game off with a bunt single and then stole second base. The next batter, sophomore shortstop Desiree Franciscus hit a bomb to center field, her second of the season, making it 2-0. Bland then doubled in junior catcher Jamie Hurst for the third run. Hurst and Bland struck again in the third inning when they started the inning off with back-to-back homers, their fourth and second of the season, respectively.
“Today was awesome in the fact that we had four home runs, which was what we were doing in the beginning of the season. We were just really back offensively, and our pitchers did a good job too,” Gerckens said.
The second game of the doubleheader was a nail biter, with the Tritons pulling off a 7-6 victory, despite late home runs by the Antelopes. Bland threw a complete game, giving up five earned runs, and improved her record to 11-10.
UCSD dropped to a quick 2-0 deficit after the first inning, but exploded into the scene in the third, scoring five runs. The inning started with back-to-back singles by Mettee and Franciscus. Aggabao then advanced them over with a sacrifice bunt, setting up sophomore leftfielder Jenny Spencer. Spencer came through with a hit to Grand Canyon’s second baseman, who failed to make the play, which resulted in Mettee and Franciscus scoring. Hurst then singled, bringing up Bland, who blasted a three-run shot to right field, her third of the season and second of the day.
The Tritons put two more on the board in the fourth inning, which began with a Mettee single and Franciscus double. Aggabao’s sacrifice bunt, which was misplayed by Grand Canyon, scored Mettee. This set up Spencer for a deep sacrifice fly, scoring Franciscus.
“It’s been a tough couple weeks, and we’ve had to do a little bit of soul searching and focusing of our goals,” Gerckens said. “We’ve been going back to fundamentals in practice, and just letting it all out and showing our emotions and showing our frustrations to a point where right now we’re either going to sink or swim. We really had to go back to what we were doing right at the beginning of the year and know that the ability was there and we could make a comeback. This week we really searched hard.”
UCSD will take the field again on April 16, when they play a doubleheader against CCAA opponent CSU San Bernardino.
