By Levern Johnson (@inkedjournalist) – Spear Reporter
SJSU softball (11-14, 0-0 MW) earned its first win out the way Thursday night over the University of Maine Black Bears (7-16, 0-0 AE) 4-1.
Spartans sophomore utility player Ashley Goard got the start on the mound, forcing eight out of ten batters to either foul or ground out and allowing no runs in three innings.
But SJSU had a different experience at the plate as their bats connected early with the ball.
At the bottom of the second, freshman utility player Reina Zermeno hit an RBI single, allowing redshirt junior infielder Adrianna Noriega to score the first run of the game.
Zermeno didn’t sit on base too long behind Jessica Giacoma knocking an RBI single to left field, increasing the Spartans’ lead to 2-0.
The Black Bears starting pitcher Alexandra Gruitch wasn’t off the hook after redshirt senior infielder Alyssa Graham hit and single and walking sophomore utility player Aubrie Thomas.
Junior outfield utility player Ashley Rico grounded out into a double-play, but Graham scored giving the Spartans their third run.
Eventually, sophomore pitcher Farrah Steffany relieved Goard in the fourth inning and kept the game quiet for the next innings.
Levern Johnson – The Spear
All of a sudden spartans freshman infielder Ahmiya Noriega hit a bunt that the Nevada didn’t see coming.
After the bunt single, Ah. Noriega channeled her inner Ricky Henderson, stealing all the bases and scoring after a Black Bears slip-up at third base to give the Spartans a 4-0 lead.
The Black Bears tried to roar back, scoring one run before closing out the sixth inning, but the Spartans closed the door on any hopes of a comeback, finishing the game 4-1.
San Jose State prepared for its next matchup as Mountain West Conference rival University of Nevada (19-2, 0-0 MW) heads into town for a three-game series, with their first-game ending in dramatic fashion.
SJSU softball shocks Nevada in comeback win to start conference play
After SJSU softball (12-14, 1-0 MW) took down the University of Maine Thursday, the Spartans captured another win in comeback fashion over Mountain West conference rival Nevada (19-2, 0-1 MW), winning 5-4.
The Wolfpack started the game by scoring their first four runs behind freshman utility player Haylee Engelbrecht, who hit an RBI double in the first inning, giving the Wolfpack an early 2-0 lead.
Engelbrecht continued at the top of the third inning, knocking a 2-run home run out of the park to increase the Wolfpack lead to 4-0.
But the last four innings belonged to the Spartans, starting with Jenessa Ullegue hitting an RBI triple to score Ahmiya Noriega. Zermeno followed up by hitting an RBI single, bringing the score to 4-2.
Noriega had more business to take care of after an RBI single, scoring Giacoma to bring the Spartans within one point of the Wolfpack.
Eventually, Adrianna Noriega sealed the victory behind a walk-off RBI double down the left field line, scoring Rico and Graham to give San Jose State the 5-4 comeback win.
Sophomore starting pitcher Lacie Ham found her groove striking out a career-high ten batters on the night, shutting down the Wolfpack for the last four innings.
SJSU softball continues its three-game series vs. Nevada March 18 at 3 p.m.
