By Brianna Huffmaster (@bhuffmaster2024) – Spear Reporter
Starting pitcher Lacie Ham and catcher Aneesa Almaguer cheering each other on in between innings | Photo by Christian Vieyra – The Spear
San Jose State softball started the first day of the Silicon Valley Classic II tournament with a doubleheader on Friday.
After finishing last weekend’s Judi Garman Classic tournament 1-4, the Spartans came back home looking to turn things around.
The first game against Iowa ended in a 3-2 loss.
“Came out a little flat [in the first game],” SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann said. “Didn’t get the timely hitting when we needed to.”
The bats were silent for the Spartans until the fourth inning when infielder Korie Thomas hit a two-run RBI double with the bases loaded. This would be the only offensive spark of the game as the bats couldn’t find any momentum.
The Spartans’ offense continued to struggle driving in runners on base. Five runners were stranded throughout the first game and the team did not take advantage of these opportunities.
“It was a good game,” Lohmann said. “It just came down to a couple of hits here and there that we needed to end up tying that ballgame.”
SJSU junior Lacie Ham started the game and gave up three runs and eight hits through 4 1/3 innings pitched. Freshman Alexis Toner came in for relief in the fifth inning and got out of a bases loaded jam with a huge strikeout. Toner ended her first pitching performance giving up one hit and three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings pitched.
The Spartans had some time to regroup and adjust before their second game against CSU Bakersfield.
It came down to the very end, but a walk-off two-run RBI single from SJSU sophomore infielder Ahmiya Noriega sealed the win with a final score of 3-2.
“Comeback and win it in the seventh, it shows a lot of character for them,” Lohmann said. “They can come in and compete on their home field.”
Once again, the offensive was quiet until the last inning. In the second inning, Spartans’ freshman outfielder Haley Reeve hit an RBI single to score Noriega, giving them a 1-0 lead. The bats then heated up at the right moment.
“I just knew that we had to fight so I was just relaxed up there,” Noriega said. “I knew I had a job and it was just to score the runs so I wanted to keep it simple.”
SJSU junior Mia Reynolds started the game, giving up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Toner came in again for relief and only gave up one hit to close it out. The freshman was very reliable down the stretch for both games and has proved to be a great addition to the team.
“I love [Toner’s] energy,” Lohmann said. “We got an opportunity to recruit her but being a lefty, I think that’s what gives us something different for the other teams to be able to see and she’s a competitor.”
SJSU softball is set to continue to host the Silicon Valley Classic II tournament all weekend. Another doubleheader is scheduled for today against North Dakota State and No. 6 Stanford. On Sunday, the Spartans look to close out the tournament on a positive note with another game against North Dakota State.