CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif.– Aztec softball traveled to desert territory in Cathedral City to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic this weekend. The team demonstrated resilience in this tournament, going 2-3 after facing some of the top teams in the Big 12 conference, and accumulating wins through fierce offensive performances.
To start the weekend, the Aztecs faced No. 4 Oklahoma State. The Aztecs fell short 10-2 in five innings. Jade Ignacio hit her second home run of the season, already setting a career-high.
In game two, the Aztec women were on the other side of the box score, where they moved from a tough loss to a dominant shutout against UC Riverside (8-0). Jazmin Williams was the most persistent run-producer of the game. She drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly, added a base hit, and secured her second home run of the season to center field.
SDSU huddle at SDSU Softball Stadium. Credit: San Diego State Athletics
Saint Mary’s took an early lead on a walk and two-run home run in game three of the tournament. The Aztecs took their first lead in the fifth inning after Julie Holcomb sparked a rally and Ignacio doubled her home. After forcing extra innings on a clutch, seventh-inning RBI single from Ignacio, the Aztecs ultimately fell to Saint Mary’s 9-5 following a bases-clearing triple in the eighth.
The resiliency of the Aztecs in the tournament shone in game four against Seattle University, edging a 7-6 win. The Aztecs provided early offensive movements, fueled by a massive five-run second inning. Ignacio was the catalyst to deliver a clutch two-RBI double, while Quinn Waiki and Williams both cleared the wall with much-needed insurance runs. The game turned nerve-wracking in the seventh inning after Seattle U narrowed the gap to a single run with a seventh-inning homer. However, it was a Fresno State transfer Key-annah Pu’a who stepped in the circle and induced two quick flyouts to shut down the Redhawks 7-6.
In game five, the last game of the tournament, San Diego State faced No.2 Texas Tech. Texas Tech capitalized on early walks and defensive errors to build a 5-0 lead. While Candace Tarle provided a strong relief performance with three scoreless innings, SDSU was unable to manufacture an offensive comeback against the Red Raiders.
Next Up
The Aztecs will return home to play down the road at the University of San Diego in the Torero Classic on Thursday at 5 p.m., followed by games on Friday and Saturday against CSUN, Washington, and Kansas City on Aztec home turf. To view the full schedule of the upcoming tournament, access game times here. Check out the game against USD in person if you’re local with tickets here.
