By Sara Biela (@sarabielaa ):
San Jose State softball started the Marucci Desert Classic 2-0 with victories over Idaho State and South Dakota.
In the first of two games, the Spartans (6-1) and Bengals (0-1) were tied at two apiece after the top of third. SJSU erupted for 10 runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 12-2 lead.
The Spartans never looked back on their way to a commanding 15-3 win. Junior first baseman and pitcher Madison Aurin highlighted the Spartan offense with two hits and four RBIs.
Pitcher Caroline Bowman threw her third complete game on year to move to 3-0.
A familiar team in the Coyotes (0-7) put up a nail-biting fight in San Jose State’s final game of the day. The first runs did not come until the fourth inning, when SJSU and USD both plated three.
South Dakota took a 5-3 lead in the fifth frame on a two-run homer, but the Spartan offense responded with three runs in the sixth to take a 6-5 lead.
SJSU went on to win by the same score, with sophomore pitcher Desiree Severance throwing three shutout innings in relief to earn her second win on the season.
Game play resumes tomorrow against Florida International Panthers at 1:30 p.m. and the Seattle University Redhawks at 3:45 p.m.