(Photo Courtesy of San Diego State Athletics)
TEMPE, Ariz. – The San Diego State softball team combined for five home runs in a doubleheader sweep over Cal Poly and Seattle Saturday at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The Aztecs (4-1) began the day with a 6-3 win over the Mustangs (1-3) before knocking off the Redhawks (1-3), 7-2.
At 4-1, SDSU is off to its best start since 2011 and has matched its best start since going 5-0 in 2010.
Senior Patrice Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) tied a school record with two homers in the opener, while junior Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif.) had one home run apiece in each game of the doubleheader. Junior Kaitlin Connors (San Diego/La Costa Canyon HS) added a homer in the nightcap.
In the 6-3 win over Cal Poly, Jackson was 2-for-2 with two home runs, four RBIs, two runs and two walks. Miles added two hits, including a homer, two runs and reached after being hit by a pitch, while sophomore Monica Downey (San Diego/Madison HS) added an RBI single.
Sophomore Danielle O’Toole (Upland, Calif.) got the win after tossing four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk, while striking out one. Freshmen Andi Smith (Orangeville, Utah) (1.2 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 5 H, 0 BB, 0 K) and Erica Romero (Corona, Calif.) (1.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K) combined to pitch the final three innings.
In the nightcap, San Diego State got a career-high 10 strikeouts from O’Toole (4-0) and the home runs by Miles and Connors to defeat Seattle, 7-2.
O’Toole went all seven innings in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks with the 10 strikeouts. Her previous high in strikeouts was nine vs. Bryant as a freshman on March 14, 2013.
Senior Katie Mathis (Grass Valley, Calif.) led the way for the Aztecs, who outhit the Redhawks, 11-5, with three hits, two RBIs and a run scored. Connors (HR, RBI, R), Downey (2B, R) and freshman Frankie Orlando (Roseville, Calif.) (2B, R) had two hits apiece, while Miles had a three-run homer and Jackson was walked three times.
SDSU plays host to the four-day 24th annual Campbell/Cartier Classic this weekend at SDSU Softball Stadium, beginning with a single game against Cal State Fullerton at 6 p.m. PT Thursday.
Kajikawa Classic
Tempe, Ariz. – Arizona State
February 8, 2014
Game 1: San Diego State 6, Cal Poly 3
San Diego State 212 010 0 — 6 8 1
Cal Poly (1-3) 000 003 0 — 3 10 0
O’Toole, Smith (5), Romero (6) and Dinner; Wurst and Williams
W – O’Toole, 3-0; L – Wurst, 1-2
HR: San Diego State, Jackson 2 (3), Miles (1)
Game 2: San Diego State 7, Seattle Univ. 2
Seattle (1-3) 000 000 2 — 2 5 2
San Diego State (4-1) 010 402 x — 7 11 2
Reuble, Davis (6) and Beckstrom; O’Toole and Orlando
W – O’Toole, 4-0; L – Reuble, 0-1
HR: San Diego State, Miles (2), Connors (2)
