UC San Diego softball (8-1, 0-0 Big West) struggled against Montana (3-4, 0-0 Big Sky), losing 10-5 this Saturday in the fourth match of the La Jolla Invitational at Triton Softball Field.
After starting its season with an electric three-win streak, UCSD hoped to extend its flawless record in the La Jolla Invitational.
The Grizzlies dominated early, loading the bases and attacking the Tritons’ infield. Each batter was consistent in stringing singles against freshman pitcher Alyanna Gonzales and senior pitcher Claire Adams, gradually building a 5-0 first-inning lead.
Despite the early Montana lead, the Tritons retaliated in the bottom of the first. Sophomore shortstop Marley Espiau hit a double that helped senior outfielder Haley Garcia secure an early run. Espiau scored on a wild pitch to close the first inning 5-2.
The second inning highlighted UCSD’s dynamic defense. The Tritons adjusted to the Grizzlies’ offense with freshman pitcher Callie Howard’s precise throws to the infield toward junior first baseman Zara Wasserman and junior second baseman Elise Nishimura, ultimately slowing Montana’s momentum. However, the Tritons’ offense struggled, with easy flyouts ending a scoreless second inning.
As the third inning began, the Grizzlies continued to leverage their efficient offensive strategy to load the bases and pressure the Triton defense. As Montana scored two runs through an RBI walk and a sacrifice fly, the Tritons faced down a five-run deficit as they headed to bat. UCSD had limited scoring opportunities against Grizzly sophomore pitcher Cameryn Ortega, who held the Tritons to a .100 team batting average compared to the Grizzlies’ .588.
UCSD remained unresponsive until the fourth inning, when the Tritons pushed back against Montana’s 9-2 lead and secured two bases through a bunt and a walk. With two runners on and a seven-run deficit, Nishimura struck a home run that passed the scoreboard, securing three runs for the Tritons. The crowd roared as the team narrowed Montana’s lead to 9-5.
“That’s my very first home run in college,” Nishimura said in a postgame interview with The UCSD Guardian. “[It boosted] our confidence and encouraged us.”
Beginning in the fifth inning, the Grizzlies started struggling to meet Howard’s pitches. They struck higher to the outfield, leading to easy outs. However, Montana’s suffocating interior defense prevented the Tritons from maintaining their momentum, closing the inning 9-5 for the Grizzlies.
Montana opened the sixth inning with two singles, but Howard’s pitches, along with a clutch diving stop from Garcia, left the Grizzlies scoreless. Despite the Tritons’ lockdown defense, they failed to create strike opportunities on the offensive end.
Although UCSD attempted to claw back into the game, it was unable to recover from the deficit. Montana scored another run in the seventh to end the game 10-5, cementing the Tritons’ first loss of the season.
Despite this defeat, Nishimura is hopeful for the remainder of the season.
“I’m feeling really confident,” she said. “We got a bunch of new girls, but everybody’s putting in the work, and you can definitely see it on the field. I think our infield is probably the best it’s been in a very, very long time. I have full confidence that our team could continue to perform.”
After a 3-0 win against Saint Louis later that day to close out the La Jolla Invitational, the Tritons went on to secure victories against Utah Tech, Weber State, and FDU at the USD/UCSD Co-Host Tournament that kicked off on Thursday at home. UCSD will close out the tournament Saturday evening against Colorado State.
