By Sara Biela (@sarabielaa ):
San Jose State softball will face new competition in the five-game Louisville Slugger tournament in Stockton beginning Friday.
In Friday’s and Saturday’s doubleheaders, the Spartans (10-7) will compete against the Providence Friars and the Wagner Seahawks for the first time.
Due to rain in the forecast, the tournament schedule has been changed, with Saturday and Sunday still to be determined.
SJSU will start the weekend against the Friars (3-7) Friday at 3 p.m. The game had an original start time of 11 a.m.
Sophomore outfielder Mackensie Compton and junior infielder Vanessa Portillo lead Providence offense with .286 and .280 batting averages, respectively. Junior pitcher and first baseman Megan McCune has the team’s lone home run.
On the slab, senior Christina Ramirez and sophomore Miranda Trinidad take charge with 2.21 and 2.55 ERAs. Both are 1-3 on the year with three complete games apiece in four starts.
The second team the Spartans will compete against is the Seahawks (2-3).
Two players to keep in check are junior catcher Jessica Carlucci and senior outfielder Maite Reece. Carlucci leads the offense with a .429 BA, as Reece has four RBIs in five games.
Arielle Koerber tops the pitching staff with 16 innings and five strikeouts. The freshman has tossed two complete games in her three starts.
Friday’s game at 1:15 p.m. against Wagner has been postponed. A rescheduled time and date has not been released. Weather permitting, Saturday’s matchup starts at 10 a.m.
SJSU will finish the tournament with the Pacific Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers (6-9) have six batters hitting over .300, with sophomore Samantha Owen leading the way at .400 to go along with 15 RBIs. Senior Sydney Lahners leads the team with five home runs.
Between five pitchers, the team has a combined 4.25 ERA. Marissa Young tops the Tigers with five starts, but has given up 37 hits in 26 innings. Her 15 walks is tied for the most on the pitching staff.
SJSU owns the 31-30-1 all-time series edge against the Tigers. The game has a scheduled start time of 12:15 p.m.
The confidence and intensity level the Spartans showcased last weekend needs to roll over into this tournament. Just because all three teams are below .500 does not mean they can let their guard down.
If they stick to a similar game plan they used against the nationally ranked teams, the Spartans will be successful.