By Zoë Woodward – (Spear Reporter) Senior infield, Reina Zermeno at bat for SJSU. on Feb. 14 Photo by Zoë Woodward.
San Jose State softball (1-8, 0-0 MW) lost 7-6 to the University of Utah (7-2, 0-0 Big 12) in another home defeat in the Silicon Valley Classic 1.
At one point it looked as though the game was almost over and the Spartans wouldn’t have to bat the bottom of the seventh inning.
This was before they lost their lead, which allowed the visitors to take the victory in extra innings.
SJSU had clearly made an effort to tighten up its defensive play by making no errors to the Utes’ four.
This was until the top of the eighth inning, when a critical error led to the beginning of the end.
“I think consistent energy, cheering everyone on every pitch, every pitch matters and every pitch can make a big difference,” freshman pitcher Norah Coulsell said. “Being down and then getting up is hard for us but we just have to fake it till we make it cause I think that goes a long way.”
In the bottom of the third inning, the Spartans were able to further their lead due to the visitors’ careless mistakes.
Senior utility Shay McDowell was able to get to third base after her own hit and help from senior infielder Reina Zermeno.
On a full count sophomore, utility Taylor Chillingworth caused their pitcher to tire by fouling several balls and managed to gain a walk to first base.
The bases were now loaded at the bottom of the third inning.
Another error from the Utes meant both McDowell and Zermeno could get home and make the score, 4-0.
Up until the fifth inning, the visitors had been shutout by a dominant Spartans performance.
In the seventh inning, the Utes scored an impressive four to the Spartans zero forcing extra innings at 5-5.
Utah set a target of three runs for SJSU to take the victory.
Freshman infielder Samantha Blachly reignited Spartans hopes of winning after a hit deep into left field allowing a run to be scored.
This didn’t matter in the end, as a high ball caught in the infield ended the game, 7-6.
“Heartbreaking loss. It’s hard to swallow. We just didn’t come out on the right side tonight,” SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann said. “Norah just pitched incredible. Whenever you still have one pitch or one out left, you’re still in the game and that just showed tonight, I just hate that.”
SJSU plays again at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Spartan Softball Complex against Washington.
