By Daniel Reedy:
The volatile Spartan offense only exploded for one inning as San Jose State (23-11) fell to the Aztecs in Game 2.
San Diego State (19-4) won 5-3 after roping 13 hits and conceding zero earned runs.
Aztec pitchers Erica Romero and Alex Formby each threw 3 innings and change, giving up a combined 6 hits to SJSU.
Each of the Spartans’ runs came in the fourth inning as three different pinch runners scored unearned runs to take the lead 3-1.
But it didn’t last as SDSU’s offense equaled the Spartans’ total offensive output in the sixth frame, tagging Katelyn Linford for 6 hits which led to 4 runs in the inning.
Aztecs Sydnee Cable and Shelby Thompson went back-to-back with solo shots off Linford in that fateful sixth. The blasts were each of the players’ third home runs of the season.
Linford (15-4) took the loss in relief of starter Collette Riggs who tossed 3⅓ innings, escaping with just one run against after giving up 7 hits and 2 walks.
Head coach Peter Turner was ejected later in the sixth after arguing a call as the Spartans unraveled. SJSU gave up two more runs after the pair of homers.
“The wheels came off,” Turner said in a postgame interview with SJSU Athletics. “We’re a better team than that.”
Outfielder Chelsea Jenner’s hitting was one of the positives for the Spartans. Jenner went 2 for 2, and is now 5 for 5 in the series with a run and an RBI. In the last three games, Jenner is 7 for 8 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Tack on the doubleheader against Princeton and Jenner is 10 for her last 14.
Jenner is now batting .404 and may be lifted from the No. 8 spot in the order if her tear continues.
Leadoff hitter Brittany Abacherli is 0 for 7 so far in the series and is down to .222 but her ability to draw walks has her on base percentage at ,407. However, each of SJSU’s seven everyday starters carries an OBA of at least .400.
Forby (6-3) took the win for SDSU but finished without a strikeout. Even the Aztecs’ ace Romero only struck out one Spartan. SJSU remains tough in the batter’s box and is still the least struckout team in the conference.
The two Mountain West rivals will battle it out on Sunday in the series-deciding game. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.