TURLOCK, Calif. - Right-handed pitcher Hannah Duarte was stellar in game two at Pedretti Sports Complex Saturday. The junior gave up just one hit to earn her second shutout at the Tournament of Champions as the UC San Diego softball team won 1-0 against Notre Dame de Namur. The Tritons dropped the opener in a close 5-4 decision against Western Washington.
Duarte got her first shutout of the tournament on Friday against Chaminade. She gave up just six hits and two walks as UCSD won, 8-0. With Saturday's split, the Tritons stand at 19-14 overall. They will take on Western Oregon in a consolation contest Sunday morning at 11 a.m.
Game One
UCSD fell just short of a comeback, losing 5-4 after giving up five runs to Western Washington in the first inning.
With one out, runners on second and third, and the Vikings holding a 3-0 advantage, Alexis Edwards came in to reliever starter Duarte. WWU scored two more runs before the lefty got out of the inning.
The Tritons cut their deficit to four in the bottom of the frame. Kristin George led off the inning with a single, Emma Schneider doubled to left field and Lauren Sanders drew a walk to load the bases for McKenna Clewett. With two outs, Clewett singled up the middle to bring in George.
UCSD struck again in the third inning. With Kendall Baker on third, after reaching on a single to center field, Kelsi Maday singled to the same spot to cut the Vikings' lead to 5-2. Baker scored once more for UCSD in the fifth on a double from Clewett.
Down two runs in the final frame, the Tritons threatened to come back. Schneider hit her second double of the game and Sanders followed up with a single through the left side. UCSD then loaded the bases when Emily Sklencar was hit by a pitch. Makinlee Sellevold hit her second straight batter to help the Tritons come within one run. But the Vikings escaped the inning to hold on for the win.
Game Two
UCSD completed its sixth shutout of the season behind an impressive performance from Duarte. The final game of the day proved to be a pitcher's duel as UCSD scored the one and only run in the last inning to defeat Notre Dame de Namur, 1-0.
Duarte (9-6) had a no-hitter going until the seventh inning. Toni Cardoza led off the last inning with a single through the left side. But the junior finished strong retiring the final three batters on a sacrifice bunt, a pop out to shortstop and a ground out back to the circle.
UCSD retired the Argonauts in order in the first. Then with one out in the bottom of the second, NDNU's Handy reached base on a fielding error. Duarte then ended the inning on a groundout to second and a strike out.
Duarte was perfect in the next four innings as she retired NDNU in order in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth. The junior finished the game with just one hit in seven innings of work, while striking out four batters.
The Tritons secured the win in the bottom of the seventh. Schneider started things off with a single up the middle. Sanders then drew a walk and Clewett loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Maday hit a walk-off single through the left side to score Schneider for the 1-0 win.
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