By Jessica Jimenez — Staff Writer
San Jose State softball (3-0) earned two impressive wins against Northern Illinois University (1-1) and Mississippi Valley State University (0-1), 3-2 and 4-0 in the first day of the Lion Classic I.
The Spartans and the Huskies battled in the first of two games that left SJSU scoreless and down by two runs until the fifth inning.
NIU struck first in the top of the third from a two-out RBI double from senior outfielder Jenny Van Geertry. In the top half of the fifth, an inside-the-park home run from senior infielder Abby Howlett extended the Huskies lead to 2-0.
Junior outfielder Makayla Englestad got the Spartans on the board in the fifth by scoring sophomore infielder Mackenzie Drake on a double down the right field line.
SJSU tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Senior outfielder Kaelin Amrein singled in Drake with the bases loaded.
Later in the inning, senior infielder Madison Aurin walked it off by hitting into a fielder’s choice that scored freshman pinch-runner Taylor Tiger.
Freshman pitcher Jenessa Ullegue earned her first collegiate win by tossing a complete game with 104 pitches.
Showing up for SJSU’s offense were Englestad and Amrein, going 2-for-3 with two hits and one RBI each. Drake finished 2-for-2 with two hits and two runs scored.
For SJSU’s final game of the day against the Devilettes, Aurin drove in Englestad to take an early 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, senior outfielder Kristen Heffley cashed in and scored junior infielder Cassidy Clark to extend the Spartans lead to 2-0.
Sophomore pinch-hitter Janessa Lozano drove in two more runs by reaching base on a fielding error by MVSU’s junior infielder Jodeci Afoa-Tuia.
Freshman pitcher Chrys Hildebrand also executed her first collegiate game by holding MVSU to only two hits.
The Lion Classic I continues tomorrow with the Spartans facing Southern Illinois University at 1 p.m. and Nicolls State University at 3 p.m.
Follow Jessica on Twitter @jessicajim06