The UCSD softball team split doubleheaders with Division I University of San Diego and California Collegiate Athletic Association opponent Cal State Stanislaus last week, with the results yielding both disappointment and hope for the future.
The Toreros of USD came to Triton Softball Stadium on April 10 followed by unimpressive statistics. The Toreros’ record was 8-30 coming into play, as they had hit only .196 for the season and had a 15-game losing streak. The Tritons allowed USD to break that losing streak in the first game, but promptly started them on their next one.
In the opener, UCSD’s Leea Harlan and USD’s Anna Russell locked into a pitchers’ duel with each hurler shutting down opposing batters with ease. The game’s only scoring came in the top of the fourth inning when USD’s Lora McBay launched a home run to right center field to give the Toreros all the offense they would need for the 1-0 victory. Russell scattered six hits over seven innings and the Tritons left eight runners on base, as an inability to get timely hits cost the Tritons.
“”We hit in the first game,”” said UCSD head coach Patti Gerckens. “”But we didn’t get clutch hits.””
The second match appeared to have more of the same in store, as the game went scoreless through the top of the third inning. However, the bottom of the third yielded a six-run rally for the Tritons, which broke the game open.
Mieko McCue opened the inning with a walk and Kim Aggabao followed by being hit by a pitch for the third time that day. Amy Mettee loaded the bases when she beat out a bunt and Kristina Anderson struck the key blow with a bases-clearing triple. Harlan had a two-run single, and Michelle Leisen added an RBI double later in the inning to help the Tritons take control of the game.
UCSD would come back to score two more runs in the fourth inning, but pitcher Keri Hanley would need no such help as she threw a brilliant one-hit shutout for the 8-0 victory.
“”Keri Hanley pitched a phenomenal game,”” Greckens said. “”Keri’s been pitching real well in practice. We’d like to use Keri as much as we can, and she had a great outing, which is exciting for us.””
Hanley agreed that pitching in batting practice helped her.
“”I think I was ready,”” Hanley said. “”I think now that I’ve been through more batting practice, there’s more confidence.””
UCSD had reason to be confident going into Saturday’s doubleheader with Cal State Stanislaus after sweeping the Warriors at home earlier in the season, but Stanislaus pitcher Rachelle Verhoeven wasn’t about to give these games away.
Verhoeven, a freshman, was a stingy host to the visiting Tritons while combining with Lisa Spencer to throw a six-hit shutout in the first game of the series. Warriors Jamie Harkins and Kim Thurman paced Stanislaus at the plate with multiple RBI days en route to a 6-0 victory.
Despite the rough start, UCSD looked to show its resilience in the nightcap with Hanley back on the mound. The Tritons quickly regained their offensive form with four runs in the top of the first inning. UCSD went on to score 11 runs and cruised to a five-inning, 11-1 victory.
Hanley went four innings in her second-straight strong start before yielding to Christi Martinelli in the fifth, allowing only one run. Despite the Warriors’ nine hits on the day, the Tritons did not hurt themselves with mistakes, committing only a single error — their first in four games.
“”Defense is a huge factor because all the teams we play have good hitters, so it’s really important,”” Anderson said.
Anderson continued her hot hitting, going 3-for-3 and driving in a run, while Harlan was also perfect, going 2-for-2 with four RBIs.
The big win helped to salvage the series and marked the second consecutive victory for Hanley.
As the Tritons head into their final home games of the season, on April 19 and 20 against Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Dominguez Hills, they look to put a winning streak together and continue to get solid performances from their future stars.
