By Anfisa Pitchkhadze – Spear Reporter Junior Shya McDowell reaching home plate during SJSU’s 6-4 win over Cal Poly on Feb. 15 (Photo by Abel Tariku)
San Jose State softball (9-11) continues to play in the Libby Matson Tournament facing off against UOP (8-8) in Stockton, Calif.
Everything seemed to go right for the Spartans offensively resulting in a 9-0 shutout win over the Tigers in their first matchup with UOP in the season.
SJSU erupted in the third inning, scoring six runs and tallying five hits resulting in the team taking a 6-0 lead.
Senior outfielder Jules Ronquillo hit a single, which provided a spark on offense for the Spartans allowing senior Aubrie Thomas to score the first run of the game.
Ronquillo was a key contributor, scoring two runs while also going 3-for-3 with three singles and one RBI.
Junior Shay McDowell shortly singled to second base allowing freshman catcher Sarah Deplitch and Ronquillo to score runs.
Deplitch also had herself a game, scoring two runs with one being a home run in the third inning and notching a career-high, three RBIs.
San Jose State was scoring run after run as senior center Aneesa Almaguer made a key play in the third by tripling to right center leading to McDowell and junior infielder Ahmiya Noriega to both score runs.
Almaguer then scored a run for the Spartans and shortly after Deplitch homered to left field followed by Ronquillo and freshman outfielder Carly Cummings, who each added a run making the game, 6-0.
The fourth and fifth innings were quiet for the Spartans, but the team eventually added another three runs to earn a 9-0 lead, ending the game in the sixth inning.
Cummings stepped up by earning a single and later scoring a run towards the end of the game.
Besides the offense, SJSU performed well defensively thanks to senior pitcher Mia Reynolds recording five strikeouts and \giving up two hits in the first six innings that she pitched in.
San Jose State showcased a strong performance on both sides of the ball as the team is hoping to keep up with the consistency.
The Spartans will play their last game of the tournament home, scheduled to host Boston College on March 5 at 5:00 p.m.
