By Sara Biela (@sarabielaa ):
San Jose State softball enters its final tournament before conference play in the Louisville Slugger Invitational in Los Angeles.
The Spartans (12-7) will play five games, including two familiar opponents from last year’s NCAA postseason, as well as three nationally ranked teams.
SJSU will kick off the tournament against the Boston University Terriers in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader.
The Terriers (7-8) pitching staff combine for a 2.33 ERA, with freshman Ali Dubois leading the way with 2.19.
Juniors third baseman Madi Killebrew and catcher Alex Heinen lead the BU offense with Killebrew batting .380 and Heinen batting in nine runs.
First pitch at Long Beach State is at 9 a.m. BU holds a 3-2 all-time series edge.
The Spartans face a recognizable Cal State Fullerton Titans squad to end Thursday’s doubleheader.
They played two games against the Titans (9-9) in last year’s NCAA postseason. The Spartans won the first matchup 3-0 and lost the second 1-0, which ultimately eliminated SJSU.
CSUF has five batters at or over .300. Freshman first and third baseman Deshea Hill tops the team at .365 with 19 hits and nine RBIs in 18 games.
Freshman pitcher Taylor Dockins posts a 2.75 ERA while her teammate, senior Kenzie Grimes, ranks 14th in the nation with two saves in seven appearances.
The team is a threat on the bases as they have combined for 39 steals in 18 games. Senior right fielder Brooke Clemetson ranks 16th in the country with 15 stolen bases on 15 attempts.
The game starts at 3 p.m. at CSUF. The Titans hold a favorable 32-11 series advantage.
In the first game of Friday’s doubleheader, SJSU will face another familiar lineup and its highest ranked opponent yet in the No. 3 UCLA Bruins.
The Spartans and Bruins (19-0) also played each other in last years’NCAA postseason, ending with a 10-2 victory for UCLA.
Among a second ranked team-combined .398 BA, the offense is driven by freshman Aaliyah Jordan.
The left fielder is ranked ninth in the nation with a .540 BA, 11th with 26 RBIs, 27th with seven doubles and 32nd with 27 hits in 19 games, respectively.
Sophomore Rachel Garcia leads the UCLA pitching staff with a 20th ranked 0.70 ERA in 49.2 IP. The pitcher also ranks seventh with four shutouts and 20th with 79 strikeouts.
First pitch at LBSU is at 11:30 a.m. This will be the 13th overall matchup, with the Spartans seeking their first ever win against the Bruins.
SJSU ends Saturday’s doubleheader with the No. 21 LBSU 49ers.
The 49ers (16-5) bat .314 as a team, with freshman right fielder Naomi Hernandez and junior shortstop Nichole Fry leading the way.
Hernandez ranks 14th in the nation with 30 hits in 20 games, while Fry ranks 22nd with 29.
LBSU’s Cielo Meza posts a 1.60 ERA. The sophomore ranks eighth in the nation with 94 strikeouts, 9th with nine wins in 12 appearances and 21st with three shutouts, respectively.
As a team, the 49ers are ranked 15th in the country with a .977 fielding percentage, only committing 13 errors in 21 games.
The game starts at 2 p.m. at LBSU. The 49ers hold a 31-25 all-time series lead.
The Spartans will conclude the LA tournament with the No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes (11-1) like to play the long ball as they rank 6th in the NCAA with 17 home runs in 12 games.
Junior shortstop Lilli Piper and second baseman Emily Clark both have five home runs apiece. Piper sits at the top of the OSU offense with a .413 BA and 17 RBIs.
Junior Morgan Ray and senior Shelby McCombs equally take charge on the mound, combining for 90 strikeouts in 82.2 IP.
First pitch at CSUF is at 10 a.m. The Buckeyes hold a 2-1 all-time series edge.
It will be three difficult days for SJSU, but the team knows they can compete with ranked teams. That experience will be helpful throughout the tournament.
Close games should be expected if the Spartans can carry that mentality and stick to their gameplay in LA.