By Zoë Woodward – Spear Reporter |Freshman pitcher Norah Coulsell discussing the next pitch with sophomore utility Taylor Chillingworth. Photo by Zoë Woodward – Spear Photographer.
Lack of productivity caused San Jose State softball (9-16, 1-1 MW) to lose 3-2 in the second match of the series against University of Nevada, Las Vegas (13-14, 1-1 MW) on Saturday.
Going into the match, the Spartans led the series 1-0 following a 5-2 victory Friday night to kick off conference play.
At the top of the sixth inning, there was nothing to separate the conference rivals with the score at 2-2, hits 6-6 and errors 1-1.
This was until freshman outfielder Hailey Gilbertson crushed the Spartans hope of taking the series by getting home to score the winning run for the Rebels after sophomore outfielder Mantha Hatzenbeller hit a triple.
“Hitting is really important and we didn’t do much of that today,” freshman outfielder Sophia Burdick said. “If we get a couple of hits per inning, that will push us in the right direction.”
The Spartans did start the match feeling positive after the team’s performance the night before. Senior infielder Reina Zermeno wasted no time trying to score runs and struck the ball into right field to earn herself a double.
Next up to the plate was junior outfielder Carly Cummings, who managed to hit the ball deep into center field on a full count.
That allowed Zermeno to get home and put the first points of the day on the board in the bottom of the first inning.
“I think we need to not settle early and just keep hitting,” freshman utility player Norah Coulsell said. “We need to celebrate the little wins. One run can change a lot.”
A quiet second inning led to the Rebels wanting to tighten the gap between the two teams.
Despite having two outs in the inning, Rebels senior outfielder Keyannah Chavez would earn a double before senior utility player Diamond Sefe would help her get home securing their first point.
Even with the two outs on the board, the Rebels’ scoring for the third inning wouldn’t stop there.
With runners on the first and second base, a misfield from the Spartans near third base allowed the Rebels to further their lead to 2-1.
In an attempt to fight back quickly, senior infielder Ahmiya Noriega was able to make her way round the diamond to third base but was unable to level the score as the third out was taken at first base as she was about to make it home.
Wanting to stay in this game, the Spartans levelled the scores in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Burdick hit the ball into left field, meaning senior utility player Shay McDowell was able to get home and level the score at 2-2.
“We have got to be a little more productive. We have got to really put pressure on the ground a little bit more. Not try to be perfect but more productive with our bats so we can move them around,” SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann said. “Tomorrow will be a fun day, that’s for sure.”
With the series now tied at 1-1, all is to be played for in the series decider at noon on Sunday at the Spartan Softball Complex.
