TURLOCK – After making an unbelievable comeback on what almost became a no-hitter, the Stanislaus State softball team battled to their wits end before falling short to UC San Diego 7-9 in 13 innings on Friday night at the Warrior Softball Field.
Following their 0-1 loss in the series opener, the Warriors competed in an impressive marathon against the Tritons before falling in the 13-inning nightcap. With two more losses Stan State is now 23-30 and 13-25 in the CCAA. UC San Diego advances to 28-22, and 19-19 in conference.
In the first inning of the opener
Nicolette Vizcaino stolen her 36
th base of the season, tying the Warriors' record for number of stolen bases in a single season. In her attempt to break the record Vizcaino was caught stealing at third base later in the inning.
Cassidy Duke hit her second triple of the season to earn three RBI in game two.
Deja Guzman and
Ruby Quiralte each slammed a double into the outfield, and Quiralte earned an RBI on the play. Vizcaino was 3-for-6 at the plate, and
Alexus Martinez was 3-for-7.
UC San Diego built on their game one win by taking a 0-7 lead by the fourth inning in the nightcap. The Warriors rallied back in the fifth, earning six runs before the Tritons could post an out, and tying the game before the end of the inning. Stan State kept the bases loaded for multiple at-bats before Duke's base clearing three-run triple closed the gap at 5-7. Quiralte's double then drove in Duke, and a sacrifice bunt by
Madison Mayol drove in
Alexis McMahon to tie the game.
With a tied score the Tritons and Warriors battled it out for six more innings. UC San Diego tried to steal home to take the lead in the 11th, but quick reactions by the Warrior defense prevented the run from scoring. Both teams continued to post three outs until the Tritons scored twice in the 13
th inning to win the game.
Kylie Ragsdale suffered the loss in both games, pitching all of game one and the final eight innings of the nightcap. In the 15 innings she pitched, Ragsdale gave up three earned runs on eight hits, and struck out four batters.
Stan State will be back at the Warrior Softball Field for the last time this season to finish off the series against the Tritons tomorrow morning. The first pitch of the day will be thrown at 11 a.m., before which coaches and families will honor the Warriors four seniors as they take their place on the field for the last time.
