By Nancy Castaneda — Staff Writer
San Jose State softball (20-9) extended its win streak to 10 games as it swept Manhattan College (8-10) in a doubleheader Tuesday, 9-2 and 8-6.
In the first game, the Jaspers scored early in the first inning with a sacrifice fly from Annie Moore.
The Spartans came back to tie it in the bottom of the second with an RBI single by freshman outfielder Jenessa Ullegue.
Manhattan College retook the lead in the fourth inning on a single through the right side by Adriana Gambino.
It was in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Spartans took control of the game. They exploded for eight runs on four hits and two bases-loaded walks.
Sophomore Caroline Bowman improved her record to 8-3 as she gave up two runs on nine hits. This was her fourth complete game of the season.
The second game started off much like the first as Manhattan College scored two runs on a pair of hits in the first inning.
SJSU responded with three runs in the bottom of the second. Senior outfilder Kaelin Amrein tripled in Ullegue, followed by a go-ahead two-run homer from freshman infielder Alyssa Graham.
The Jaspers tied the game in the fourth and then retook the lead in the fifth, but it was shortly lived as the Spartans ignited again in the bottom half of the inning.
Ullegue tied the game 4-4 with an RBI single up the middle. With bases loaded, Amrein hit her second triple of the day to right to clear the bases.
An error by Manhattan College’s second baseman allowed Amrein to score the fifth run of the inning.
“As soon as I hit it, I knew I hit a three and once I got on third, the ball was still going away,” Amrein said. “In that moment I knew I had to bring it home.”
In the seventh, Manhattan College made it interesting with a two-RBI triple, but it wasn’t enough to catch up to the Spartans.
Ullegue started the game and gave up three runs in 4 innings pitched. Senior Madison Aurin closed it out while allowing three runs as well.
“We were forced to throw over the plate which we don’t prefer doing, but we have a good defense behind us and were able to get some outs” Aurin said. “We also had a couple of big innings in each game and that made the difference for our offense.”
The Spartans open up conference play at Fresno State Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.
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