By Daniel Reedy:
The Spartans just might have the best pitcher in the Mountain West.
Katelyn Linford tossed a no-hitter as San Jose State (19-9, 2-0) mercy ruled the Nevada Wolfpack (14-12, 0-2) in five innings.
Linford gave up one run last Saturday, threw a shutout on Friday, completed the no-no today, so at this rate, her next start should be a perfect game.
“We played pretty well,” said Spartan head coach Peter Turner in a post-game interview with SJSU athletics. “We’re definitely on a roll right now — ‘Linny’ is definitely on a roll right now.”
No kidding.
During the nine-game winning streak, “Linny” has been incredible — now 7-0 (with a save) with a 0.70 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP.
Just to put those numbers in perspective, Jennie Finch — one of the greatest fast-pitch softball players of all time — finished her senior year at Arizona with a 0.97 ERA and 0.80 WHIP.
Linford struck out 18 over the past two games (12 innings) and is up to 108 for the season to go with 13 wins, leading the MW in both categories.
The bats are back for SJSU, pounding Nevada’s staff for eight runs in five innings.
Outfielder Casey Watt is credited with the game-winning RBI, knocking in a pair during the second inning with a single.
Watts’ 16 RBIs lead the team but fellow outfielder Brittany Abacherli is close behind after doubling in three runs, giving her 15 for the year. Abacherli seems to have emerged from her early-season slump with her average up to .250. In the two games in the opening series, Abacherli is 1-3, with a .667 on base percentage.
Infielder Sienna Swain was the only player for the Wolf Pack to reach base, taking a walk in the third inning.
Of the three hurlers Nevada sent to the mound, none posed much of a challenge for the Spartans who hit .388 today.
Starter Amanda Geil conceded three runs in three innings, bringing her season ERA up to 6.11. Reliever Rachel Rodriguez was worse, giving up two earned (four total) in one inning. Rodriguez now carries a 8.00 ERA.
Kali Sargent took the rubber in the fifth and faced just one batter. After only four pitches, Spartan outfielder Chelsea Jenner roped one over the left-field wall, prompting the mercy rule.
Jenner finished 2-3, scoring three runs. Her average climbs to .300 and she is just one hit away from tying her career high.
Only one Spartan struck out and SJSU continues to be the toughest team in the K category. The Spartans have struck out the least in the conference despite tying for the most games played.
SJSU has now won the last seven contests against the Wolf Pack and 13 of the last 16.
The concluding game of the series begins at 12 p.m. on Sunday.