TURLOCK — Just as the injury plagued Warriors gain some momentum when they play in a close game against the opponent's ace, the 17th ranked UC San Diego Tritons crushed that groove in the series finale.

Stanislaus State came within a run in Saturday's double-dip before losing 4-3. Then UCSD used a six-run inning, including a grand slam homer, to mercy-rule the Warriors, 10-1 in five innings to complete the four-game series sweep.

The Warriors falter to 4-13 overall and 1-11 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with the rough start after three weekends. The good news is there are a lot of softball left to play this season and this very young team will have to learn quickly.

However, many injuries to key players are causing a trickle-down effect. Case in point, Melissa Spencer's hot bat has to remain in the line-up despite a groin injury. She leadoff as the designated player and was pinch-ran for every time she reached the base. Two other starters — catcher Cassandra Wenn and shortstop Desiree Gonzalez — are also sidelined.

Still, the Warriors kept-up with the 13-2, 11-1 UC San Diego team in three out of the four games this weekend. Saturday's game one was tied at 3-3 at the end of the fifth while the Warriors scored three more runs versus Robyn Wampler. Wampler had entered the week with just two earned runs allowed (and a low 0.35 ERA). She's leaving Turlock with a 1.12 ERA.

Maya Yoshiura doubled in a run in the first, Deja Guzman drove in a run in the third and Kylie Ragsdale singled up the middle with the bases loaded to score a third run. UCSD's Clarissa Reynoso hit a solo homer in the sixth for the eventual-winner.

In the finale, it was 4-1 in the fifth when the Tritons scored six times. An RBI double and a bases loaded single set-up the big blow when Danica Kazakoff hit a long, towering drive down the right-field line for the grand slam bomb.

The Warriors offense were led by Alexus Martinez, who went 3-for-6 on the day including a 2-for-3 game in the finale.