By Navin Krishnan (@NavinKthespear) – Reporter
The San Jose State softball team (20-19, 6-8 MW) took home field on Friday afternoon looking to even a three-game series against a UNLV Rebels (29-10, 7-4 MW) team on a blistering hot home field, grinding out a 3-2 win.
An optimistic Spartan offense was suffocated by the UNLV pitching to start the game, who held San Jose State without a hit through the first three innings.
“We just stuck to the game plan,” said head coach Tammy Lohmann. “We just continued to compete and get after it.”
San Jose State managed to do further damage in the fourth inning. A double by Trenity Edwards sent Bergesen in to score, giving the lead 3-2 with no outs to the Spartans.
The Spartans’ biggest hit came right after their first in the fourth inning as Karizma Bergeson launched a deep hit into center field.
Aubrey Thomas raced to home plate to tie the game at 2-2.
“I knew I had to make an adjustment coming into today and actually hit the bats to the balls and make solid contact,” Bergesen said. “Just staying at this level of consistency and compete at the level we can compete.
Starting pitcher Jennesa Ullegue kept San Jose State in contention. Ullegue battled a very consistent Rebels batting cage and carried the Spartans on her shoulders.
“J-U [Jenessa Ullegue] was back today,” said Lohmann. “She’s a phenomenal competitor. I’m really proud of her. J-U’s back.”
Ullegue’s last pitch would lead to a double play by Alyssa Graham to end the game.
“I just had to keep the energy up and keep the girls focused in any way that I can,” said Ullegue. “I was trying to get ahead of every batter. Make them really work for everything.”
Ullegue the senior led the Spartans to a win in consistent fashion, a feat that the coaching staff expects of her whenever against adversity.
“[This win] builds confidence,” said Lohmann. “Last game, they struck us out ten times. Just our mentality and we continue to fight every game.”
The Spartans tied the series against UNLV (1-1) and will look to edge out UNLV in their third game Saturday at home with first pitch at 12 p.m.