SAN DIEGO - The University of San Diego ended their three-game non-conference slate with a much-needed win against the University of Hawai’i on Thursday. The Toreros were coming off a seven-game losing streak, and this 4-3 extra-innings win was crucial going into their three-game conference series against Saint Mary’s College.
“I knew they wanted it,” said Head Coach MJ Knighten. “They did a great job keeping the fight and punching back.” Going into their conference series against Saint Mary’s, she acknowledged that, “This was a great confidence booster for everybody. Everyone played a part today, and an opportunity to figure out what they need to do to keep the momentum going from our side.”
The Toreros (17-25, 4-6 WCC) entered the finale looking to shake off back-to-back losses to Cal State Fullerton and crosstown rival UC San Diego. Senior Charlie Johnson took the circle, returning after closing out the previous night's game against the Tritons. Johnson was dominant, playing the entirety of the game and racking up four strikeouts to only two runs, both unearned.
Senior Charlie Johnson is on the mound against UH on April 16. Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
“I started crying,” said Johnson. “I have never seen the team this happy. This was a hard game, and I was so glad our team was able to push through it and get this win.”
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. Senior Carly Ruiz and Kaitlyn Wynia both walked. Sophomore Mallory Axline clutched with a single to left field with a patient at bat. Taylor Johnson sent Ruiz home with a single to shallow left field for the first run of the game.
Moments later, Hawaii responded. Ellyanna Cinzori walked, then Maycen Gibbs homered to left center for her sixth home run of the season. Hawaii took the lead 2-1.
Kaylee Oh secured the home run robbery against Hawaii on Thursday. Thomas Christensen / USD Athletics
Junior Kaylee Oh doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the fourth, then stole third after Michelle Delgado’s strikeout. Defensively, Oh, a 5’2 center outfielder, robbed a home run by launching herself against the wall. “I knew I had enough time to look back and be able to time it well,” said Oh. “The help of teammates cheering 3 2 1, I had a feeling I was going to catch it.”
In the bottom of the fifth, Ruiz singled to left center, advanced to second off a sacrifice from Wynia, and to third off an Axline single. Ruiz scored on a passed ball to tie up the game, 2-2.
The Rainbow Warriors loaded the bases off a fielding error and two singles, and Milan AhYat’s RBI groundout allowed one run to score, making it 3-2.
USD’s Delgado sent a homerun to deep left and well over the wall for her third home run of the season to tie the game, 3-3.
The game went into extras after both teams failed to score in the seventh inning. In the top of the ninth, USD had two runners on base as Wynia stepped up to the plate. Wynia secured the victory with a walkoff fielder’s choice to shortstop, driving in Seleny Chavez for the unearned winning run to secure the Toreros’ comeback.
Next Up
The Toreros will remain at home to enter their three-game conference series against Saint Mary’s College next weekend. Their first game is on Friday, April 24, at 6 p.m., followed by games on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. Get tickets here.
Top Photo: Michelle Delgado circles the bases after her homer tied the game, 3-3. Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
