By Matthew Meyer (@mattmeyersjsu) – Spear Reporter | SJSU sophomore utilitywoman Taylor Chillingworth stands ready for the pitch at the plate (Photo by Matthew Meyer – Spear Photographer)
Five days ago, San Jose State softball head coach Tammy Lohmann said her team was going to work hard in practice this week to address their seven-game losing streak.
That work paid off on Friday when the Spartans (2-9, MWC 0-0) earned their second victory of the season with a 3-2 walk-off win against the Manhattan Jaspers (3-7, MAAC 0-0) at the Mustang Classic in San Luis Obispo.
Sophomore utilitywoman Taylor Chillingworth came through in the bottom of the seventh inning with a one out RBI single that drove in freshman outfielder Samantha Kulak from second base.
Kulak reached first base on an error by Jasper senior utilitywoman Sophia Kiseloski to start the inning and advanced to second on a groundout by teammate sophomore catcher Sarah Deplitch.
Chillingworth’s heroics were consistent with her solid day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
“We found a way to get a run across with Chilly scoring Sammie from second base,” Lohmann said in a postgame statement on SJSU athletics website. “That’s just the team coming up and competing in the first game.”
Freshman pitcher Delaney Faus started on the mound for the Spartans. She went the distance, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk, recording a season high of four strikeouts.
Her day ended in the top of the seventh after she gave up two hits to put the go-ahead runs on first and third base with two outs.
Freshman utilitywoman Norah Coulsell replaced Faus and got the job done quickly. Her first pitch was lined to third where Chillingworth fielded it to senior infielder Ahmiya Noriega to get the third out at second base.
Coulsell was credited with the win, with her record improving to 2-3 with an ERA of 3.72.
The Spartans had jumped out to a quick two run lead in the bottom of the second, with RBI knocks from Chillingworth and from freshman infielder Samantha Blachly.
The Jaspers would later strike back and tie the game, scoring one run in the fifth off of a home run by Jasper freshman catcher Kendall Penny.
The other run came in the sixth from a two out RBI single from Kieseloski.
The Spartans’ close win not only broke the team’s seven game losing streak, but also marked coach Lohmann’s 100th win as head coach.
The day isn’t quite over yet for the Spartans, as they face off against Sacramento State in their second game of the day at 2:30 p.m on Friday, Feb. 20 at Bob Janssen field in their second match of the Mustang Classic.
