By Aaliyah Stuart – Spear Reporter (liyas.flix)| Reina Zermeno takes a swing in at-bat against SHU| (Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
SJSU softball (5-12, 0-0 MW) battled hard against Sacred Heart University (2-5), ultimately losing 8-4.
The Spartans and Pioneers started the game evenly matched, both teams hitting singles to get runners on base. However, the tides changed in the bottom of the second and third innings when the Pioneers gained a large lead.
“We had some great, hard contact today. Ball just didn’t fall our way,” SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann said via SJSU Athletics.
In the bottom of the second inning, Pioneer sophomore utility player Elle Leckrone singled to advance runners and earn Sacred Heart’s first run. They followed in the third inning with a two-run double from Pioneer sophomore outfielder Alexa Barbera and a grand slam from Leckrone to gain a 6-0 lead.
The fourth inning saw a solo home run from senior infielder Sam Kowalski to establish a 7-0 lead.
SJSU struggled to be consistent from the plate, obtaining eight hits but struggling to score. The first inning opened with a single from senior infielder Ahmiya Noriega, but strikeouts and groundouts followed the Spartans’ at-bats. The Pioneers’ pitching combined for a total of 64 strikes out of 108 pitches, with five strikeouts throughout the game.
In the fifth inning, it was SJSU’s turn to wake up its bats. Sophomore infielder Kaylani Lim sparked a rally with a double to right field, her first of the season. Noriega singled and scored their first run of the game.
Senior utility player Reina Zermeno hit a sac fly to right field to score the Spartans’ second run, followed by a fielder’s choice play to score another run.
Ultimately, the momentum from this fifth-inning comeback was not enough to keep the Spartans going. The seventh inning saw two straight strikeouts and a groundout, calling the ballgame 8-4.
SJSU saw four pitchers to the mound today: junior Jordyn Fray, junior Bella Rodriguez, junior Ava Conti, and freshman Delaney Faus. All combined for a total of 102 pitches, with 58 strikes, nine hits, three strikeouts and four walks.
“One thing I know about the Spartans, we’re not going to give up, …we’re going to continue to get better,” Lohmann said.
SJSU looks to move on to play in the Silicon Valley Classic II, opening up with a game against Santa Clara University at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, at home.
