By Larry Larkin (@larrylarkinsjsu) – Spear Reporter
Alexis Toner pitching during the game against Stanford on March 9, 2024. I Photo by Christian Vieyra | The Spear
San Jose State softball (8-10) got a split in Saturday’s doubleheader at the Silicon Valley Classic II.
In the first game, against North Dakota State (10-16), SJSU won 4-3, thanks to a game-winning sacrifice fly by junior Aubrie Thomas in the sixth inning.
SJSU scored three runs in the second inning, two of them coming on senior Makenzie Hutchinson’s double.
Hutchinson went 1-2 with an RBI.
North Dakota State didn’t go away, as the Bison scored one run in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
Sophomore Zoe King’s double in the fifth inning tied the game for North Dakota State.
Junior pitcher Lacie Ham started the game and pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowed three hits, four runs, three earned runs, and didn’t walk or strike out any batters.
Junior Taylor Squires went 1-2 with an RBI.
The second game, against NCAA RPI No. 3 Stanford (17-4), didn’t go so well for SJSU, losing 10-2.
Stanford blew the game wide open in the first inning, scoring seven runs.
After the Spartans’ starting pitcher, junior Mia Reynolds, was pulled from the game after giving up four runs with three earned through one-third inning pitched, freshman Alexis Toner came in and gave up four runs in the first inning.
Toner pitched four shutout innings before giving up two runs in the seventh inning.
Toner’s performance on the mound kept the Spartans from being run ruled.
“Loved the fight and competitiveness to go seven innings with Stanford after they scored a few runs in the first innings,” SJSU softball head coach Tammy Lohmann said.
The Spartans had seven hits but failed to capitalize on them, leaving seven runners on base.
SJSU’s next game is Sunday against North Dakota State in its final game of the Silicon Valley Classic II. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.