By Briannah McGee – Spear Reporter | Freshman Pitcher Norah Coulsell serves to the competition against New Mexico (photo by Spear photographer – Marilyn Bride)
The San Jose State softball team dropped the opening game of its series to Boise State 11-2 in five innings on Thursday afternoon at Huber Field at Dona Larsen Park.
Boise State set the tone early, scoring seven runs in the first inning before adding two more in the second to take a 9-0 lead.
SJSU broke through in the top of the fourth inning. Senior utility player Reina Zermeno led off with a double to right-center on the first pitch she faced and later advanced to third on a groundout.
Sophomore infielder Gigi Ortega led the team in the RBI category with a well-placed bunt down the first base line to bring in Zermeno and put the Spartans on the board.
However, Boise State answered with a two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning to secure the run-rule victory.
Zermeno extended her hitting streak to nine games, while senior utility player Shay McDowell pushed hers to eight with a single in the second inning. Junior utility player Ava Conti provided a bright spot in the circle, holding the Broncos scoreless over 2.2 innings of relief.
Additional contributions at the plate came from junior outfielder Carly Cummings, and freshman outfielder Gabriella Sotelo recorded the first hit of her collegiate career in the fifth inning.
“I love the competitiveness in us today,” head coach Tammy Lohmann said. “We just have to come out and just be better tomorrow.” (SJSU Athletics)
The Spartans will look to even the series at 2 pm Friday at Dona Larson Park back in Boise
