LA JOLLA, Calif. – Opening the 2024 season at Triton Softball Field, UC San Diego's softball squad dropped both games of the doubleheader to Idaho State. Game one was a shutout as the Bengals scored five runs on the Tritons. In game two, ISU busted the game open in the fourth inning with five runs scored to finish at 11-2.
 
Getting the start in the circle in game one, Gabby Williams gave up four runs on seven hits. The lefty senior walked one, struck out one and forced 12 ground outs in her 4.1 innings of work. Coming on in as relief, junior transfer India Caldwell made her Triton debut allowing only one run on four hits. The right-hander earned three strikeouts and forced three flyouts and 2 ground outs. The Tritons struggled at the plate with only three earning a hit over the seven innings. Alexa DeMarse knocked a double, Lexi O'Gorman and Gabby Williams each tallied a single.
 
After finishing game one, India Caldwell started in the circle in game two for the gold and blue. The righty allowed six runs – four earned – on five hits with three strikeouts. Shelby Thompson relieved the starter and gave up five runs – two earned – on five hits with one walk and one strikeout. The lefty reliever forced one flyout and one groundout.

IDAHO STATE 5, UC SAN DIEGO 0
After walking Morgan Eng in the first, Lexi O'Gorman laced a single past second base to get on and then advance herself to second and Eng to third on a Bengal error. The two Tritons were left stranded after three outs
 
In the second, Alexa DeMarse was able to reach on another Bengal error, but was once again left stranded. The gold and blue weren't able to get on until five at-bats later in the fourth when Gabby Williams laced a single up the middle.
 
Still scoreless with the Bengals up 5-0, DeMarse managed to get into scoring position before the Tritons comeback was cut short by the Bengals' pitching staff.

IDAHO STATE 11, UC SAN DIEGO 2
Striking first in the opening inning, Morgan Eng laced a hard-hit single to the shortstop and managed to outrun the throw to first to become the leadoff runner. With Lexi O'Gorman at bat, Eng stole second to get into scoring position for Deena Pederson. Pederson's sac fly brought Eng home to score the first Triton run of the season to go up 1-0.
 
ISU tied it up in the top of the second inning. Hailey Mulligan took the lead back after sending a single to left field. A passed ball by the Bengals' allowed Mulligan to advance to second and then a ground out advanced her to third. With Marissa Hassis at the plate, a wild pitch brought the sophomore home to score and go ahead 2-1.
 
The Bengals blew the game open in the fourth inning with five runs scored and sealed the game with four more in the fifth. The Tritons were unable to overcome the Bengals' offense.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Lexi O'Gorman and Brooklyn Lee made their collegiate debuts today for the gold and blue.
• India Caldwell made her Triton debut in the circle with six strikeouts on the day.
• Morgan Eng has been the leadoff hitter for the Tritons for the past 34 games beginning March 12, 2023.
• All six seniors competed today: Gabby Williams, Deena Pederson, Shelby Thompson, Teagan Dobson, Mariah Melendez, and Zoë Richards.
• This is the first season since 2013 the Tritons have started 0-2.
   

UP NEXT
UC San Diego will continue hosting the La Jolla Invitational with a doubleheader vs. Fairleigh Dickinson at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Both games will be live on ESPN+ with live stats on ucsdtritons.com.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.