By Brianna Huffmaster (@bhuffmaster2024) – Spear Reporter
SJSU junior Taylor Squires up at bat | Photo by Christian Vieyra – The Spear
San Jose State softball (11-14, 2-1 MW) got swept 8-11 Sunday afternoon in the final game against Loyola Marymount (15-14, 0-0 WCC) in Los Angeles.
“Loved how our team came out and competed in the first half of the game,” SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann said. “But we gotta get back to work.”
It was a back and forth offensive battle. The game started off with a three-run homer from SJSU sophomore Reina Zermeno giving the Spartans an early 3-0 lead. The Lions got two runs back in the bottom half of the inning cutting the Spartans’ lead to just one run.
SJSU took advantage in the second inning. Spartans’ junior Aubrie Thomas reached on an error which scored both Korie Thomas and Haley Reeve. After this, Zermeno continued to help the offense with an RBI single pushing the Spartans lead 6-2.
The bats suddenly went quiet for SJSU in the middle innings. LMU was able to score seven runs and led 9-6 going into the sixth inning.
In the sixth inning, the Spartans were able to close the gap. Taylor Squires hit a solo homer to make it a 9-7 game. However, the Lions scored two insurance runs in their half of the inning.
A walk from sophomore Shay McDowell and a single from senior Adrianna Noriega started a rally in the seventh inning for SJSU. Spartan sophomore Ahmiya Noriega hit an RBI double to make it a three-run game with no outs. This rally ended as the team was not able to produce any more runs.
The Spartans have struggled all season scoring with runners on base. Eight runners were left on base and the game would’ve gone differently if more offensive spark occurred at the right times.
On the mound, Lacie Ham started the game and had a final stat line of eight runs, 10 hits and two strikeouts through 5 1/3 innings pitched. Alexis Toner came in for relief and gave up three runs in 2/3 innings pitched.
Up next, SJSU softball will travel to Boise, Idaho to play a three-game series against Boise State. The first game is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
