What started as a promising weekend for the UCSD softball team quickly turned into a humbling one, according to head coach Patti Gerckens. After streaking to five straight victories, the Tritons managed a nail-biting 2-1 win in game one to stretch the streak to six, but fell in the next three by scores of 6-10, 1-5 and 2-13 to No. 3 Cal State Stanislaus on March 9 and 10.
“”I think we did all right this last weekend,”” senior second baseman Dallas Hernandez said. “”We need to step up with the better teams in the conference and score more runs.””
The team dropped to 15-15 overall and 10-6 in conference play. At the heart of its season, Gerckens noted how important each victory is.
“”Each game has been important since the beginning,”” she said. “”The girls have seen everything they’re going to see. They need to continue to play, gain confidence and trust themselves and if they do that, we’ll be in a good place.””
Game one on March 9 was a classic, as Triton junior southpaw Melissa Ward out-dueled her Warrior counterpart for a 2-1 victory. Ward threw a complete game, giving up only one run on three hits.
The Triton offense provided support to Ward’s cause with a two-run fourth inning. Sophomore outfielder Allison May and Hernandez recorded the two RBIs.
Hernandez was confident after scoring the two runs that the defense would curb the Warrior offense.
“”I think our defense can hold anyone,”” she said.
Cal State Stanislaus made things interesting by tagging on a run in the top of the sixth, but Ward promptly shut the door, forcing a fly out to end the same inning. In the seventh, Ward recorded two of her eight strikeouts.
In game two of the March 9 doubleheader, the Warriors acted more like the third-ranked team in the country, outscoring the Tritons in an offensive spectacle, 10-6.
Cal State Stanislaus loaded up the bases in the first inning and managed only one run, but broke things open in the top of the third, scoring six runs with two outs.
“”It’s always frustrating to watch six runs come in,”” Gerckens said. “”It’s part of the game because it can happen on our side too. Rallies are very powerful and that’s what we need to do. Stringing three and four hits together can bring any defense down.””
UCSD got on the board in the bottom of the third on a double steal. Senior outfielder Brittni Carino stole second and in the midst, junior shortstop Danielle Lukk stole home.
The Tritons would lose ground as the Warriors tacked on another run in the top half of the fifth. UCSD responded with five runs of its own, making the score 8-6, but two insurance runs by Cal State Stanislaus put the game out of reach.
Disappointed by the afternoon loss, Gerckens was optimistic heading into day two of the four-game series.
“”We definitely played with them and above them on day one,”” she said. “”I am hopeful and confident that we will go into the season with the same swagger.””
The Triton offense was stifled in game one of the March 10 doubleheader as Cal State Stanislaus took a 5-1 win. The Warriors broke a scoreless tie in the top half of the third, bringing in two runs. The Tritons would earn their only run of the bout in the bottom half of the sixth when May singled home freshman catcher Nicole Saari.
Ward pitched her second complete game of the series, her 15th in 17 appearances. Despite the loss, Ward’s record stands at an impressive 11-4.
“”She’s been a rock,”” Gerckens said. “”Even when she doesn’t pitch her best game, she gets things done. Her teammates love playing behind her.””
Sophomore pitcher Lauren Chastain took over the mound from Ward in game two of the March 10 doubleheader. The Tritons scored first in the bottom half of the first inning on sophomore first baseman Jenni Habib’s RBI single.
Cal State Stanisalus wouldn’t stay behind long, scoring five runs in the top half of the second and four more in both the sixth and seventh innings to close out the series.
“”In the fourth game, the flood gates kind of opened up,”” Gerckens said. “”Pitching and hitting was tough and they were a good team. We had some crucial mental mistakes and things progressed over the series.””
UCSD will return to action at Cal State Monterey Bay March 16 and 17, playing doubleheaders both days.
