The UCSD softball team continued California Collegiate Athletic Association play after a two-week hiatus, splitting doubleheaders at Sonoma State Feb. 23 and 24.
With the wins, the Tritons boosted their record to 10-10 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
“”We had four very close games with [Sonoma State],”” head coach Patti Gerckens said. “”They played better in two, we played in better two. It was a matter of clutch hitting and stringing hits together.””
Seven innings weren’t enough to decide the Tritons’ 9-6 triumph in game one Feb. 24, and junior third baseman Jenny Maze created even more excitement as she knocked out her fifth home run of the season and 18th overall, tying her for the all-time record at UCSD.
Down by three after the fourth inning, UCSD exploded with five runs in the top half of the fifth inning.
The Tritons would squander the lead in the bottom of the seventh, sending the game into the team’s first extra-inning match of the season.
Despite having her pitching ace, junior southpaw Melissa Ward, on the mound, Gerckens was concerned because Ward wasn’t throwing her best stuff of the season.
“”Melissa’s pitches weren’t working the way that she wanted,”” Gerckens said. “”But I was glad she was out there and she held her ground. When they battled back and tied the game, we just had to do whatever it took. We just had to get it done.””
And get it done they did, as the Tritons earned three runs in the top of the ninth to take the morning game. But Sonoma State made things interesting in the bottom half of the ninth.
Ward struck out the first batter to leave the Tritons only two outs away from the victory. But that’s where things turned. The Seawolves loaded up the bases with only one out but weren’t able to capitalize, as Ward fielded a ground ball and tossed it home to the catcher, who then turned and threw it to first for the game-ending double play.
“”It was definitely a dramatic way to finish the game,”” Ward said. “”There’s a lot more pressure playing in extra innings and it was raining. We prepare with challenge situations in practice that simulate game situations like that.””
With such a tough act to follow, the nightcap didn’t disappoint.
The Seawolves knocked in runs in the second and third innings to match UCSD’s runs in the first and second. The Tritons regained the lead briefly in the top half of the fifth before Sonoma State again matched the run in the bottom half.
Two runs in the sixth for the Seawolves spelled the end for the Tritons as Sonoma State earned a 5-3 win.
“”It had nothing to do with the long morning game,”” Gerckens said. “”It was about a lack of stringing hits together. I just hope that they’re learning and down the road from now they’re going to do it right.””
The two teams kicked things off Feb. 23, with UCSD taking the morning game 2-1 and Sonoma State answering in game two 3-2.
After four scoreless innings, sophomore outfielder Allison May got UCSD on the board with a solo home run in the fifth. The Seawolves tied game one in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly.
“”It’s really frustrating to score a run and have them answer right back,”” Ward said. “”Subconsciously, there’s a little letdown after they score, but it’s something we’re trying to control.””
In the sixth inning, freshman catcher Nicole Saari doubled, sending senior outfielder Brittni Carino home for what would be the eventual game-winning run.
The Tritons fell behind early in game two as Sonoma State scored three in the first three innings. UCSD didn’t quit, pushing across two runs in the top half of the seventh, but the team couldn’t garner the third, falling 3-2.
The team will be back in action Feb. 28 at home against Point Loma Nazarene University.
