By Sara Biela (@sarabielaa ):
San Jose State softball heads to the Rockies to face division rival Boise State in its first road conference series of the season.
The Spartans (19-9, 3-0 MW) will seek to take control of the Mountain West conference from the Broncos (18-8, 3-0 MW).
BSU’s offense is not one to underestimate. Its .350 batting average leads the MW and ranks fifth in the country.
Four Broncos are batting over .400, with freshman designated hitter Alison Seng leading the squad at .451. Junior center fielder Kora Wade has a team high 37 hits in 88 plate appearances.
The Broncos love to play the long ball, as the team combines for 24 home runs in 26 game.
Seniors Makenzie Sullivan and Madison Anthony, junior Rebekah Cervantes and sophomore Jessica McKay all have four HRs apiece.
In the circle, sophomore Kelsey Broadus and freshman Gianna Mancha take charge as the starters.
Broadus (6-3) has a 2.68 ERA and team-high 60 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched. She keeps her opponents to a .174 BA.
SJSU’s red-hot offense will look to capitalize on the team-combined 3.40 ERA.
Pitcher and first baseman Madison Aurin was named USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week. In four games, the junior posted a 1.00 ERA in 14 innings and went 4-for-12 with three HRs and nine RBIs.
The Spartans lead the all-time series 14-9, with a 5-4 edge in Idaho.
Game one of three is set for 3 p.m. at Dona Larsen Park.