By Ivan Gutierrez:
The Spartans softball team split a win and loss in day two of the DeMarini Classic in Las Vegas.
In game one of the tournament the Spartans were defeated by the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahines 3-0. Entering the game this was the 104th meeting between the Spartans and Rainbow Wahines.
San Jose State was shutout by a dominant pitching performance from Hawaii’s Brittany Hitchcock.
The sophomore pitcher held the Spartans in check allowing only four hits and striking out five.
The SJSU offense struggled and could not muster up a extra base hit all game. Overall the Spartans hit .154 compared to .429 put up by the Rainbow Wahines.
Although the overall offense struggled the Spartans leadoff spot hit .429.
On the mound for the Spartans was freshman Kacie Gresenz. Pitching in her second game of the season she allowed three runs on nine hits and was pulled in the fourth inning.
Today’s loss put her at 0-2 on the year.
The Spartans offense woke up in game day two against Southern Utah as they beat the Thunderbirds 11-2.
After putting up 11 runs through five innings the Spartans run-ruled the Thunderbirds. This is the second time in two weeks that the Spartans have run ruled an opponent with a score of 11-2.
The runs parade began early for the Spartans who put up five in the second inning. They soon followed up this outing by adding four in the third and later two more in the fifth.
Five Spartans had a multi-hit game while three Spartans a multi-RBI game.
Overall the Spartans hit .500 with runners on base and .471 with runners in scoring position.
Senior outfielder Chelsea Jenner went 2-3 with three RBI’s and a double.
On the bump for the Spartans was the 2016 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Katelyn Linford. The senior pitcher worked a serviceable four innings allowing two runs on six hits and three strikeouts.
Linford kept her season perfect as she improved to 3-0.
The Spartans will face BYU and Idaho State in the second day of the DeMarini Classic on Saturday.