By Sara Biela (@sarabielaa ):
Madison Aurin’s two home runs and career-high six RBIs helped propel San Jose State softball to a 9-1 victory over San Diego State in five innings.
The Spartans (19-9, 3-0 MW) open conference play with a three-game sweep over their rival Aztecs (9-20, 0-3 MW).
“It feels good, I’ve been in kind of a slump,” said Aurin after the win. “I’ve been really working with our hitting coach on being patient and hitting my pitch. I think I’m starting to do a better job at that.”
SDSU drew first blood right off the bat as senior designated hitter Taylor Stewart’s RBI single scored an unearned run in the top of the first.
SJSU responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore first baseman Georgia Blair’s RBI single tied the game at one run apiece.
Senior center fielder Brittany Abacherli helped give the Spartans a 2-1 lead after she reached on a throwing error from SDSU’s senior third baseman Iesha Hill.
With two on, Aurin hit her first three-run homer of the game in the third inning to increase SJSU’s lead 5-1.
In the fourth, senior shortstop Emma Entzminger’s solo homer to center made it 6-1 Spartans.
“It wasn’t a great at-bat at first,” said Entzminger. “I missed the bunt, then fouled off a couple pitches that I was way ahead of. I got to 3-2 and she threw me a good pitch.”
Later in the inning, Aurin hit her second three-run blast on the day and blew the game wide open at 9-1.
The Spartans went on to win by that score in five innings, with Aurin (7-7) allowing just two hits and one walk. In the three-game series, SJSU outscored SDSU 20-4.
“Sweeps are tough to get,” said head coach Peter Turner. “I was really pleased with the way the team played all weekend. We hit the ball and pitched well, and I’m really proud of them.”
The Spartans head on the road and look to remain undefeated in conference play at Boise State next weekend.
