LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego softball picked up their second Big West-win on Saturday night at Triton Softball Field as
India Caldwell tossed a complete game victory holding UC Riverside to two hits for a final score of 6-0.
The Tritons improve to 4-18 overall and 2-5 in Big West play. The Highlanders are now 14-15 overall and 5-2 in conference play. UC San Diego remains in ninth place and UC Riverside stays in second.
From in the circle, senior
India Caldwell held the Highlanders at bay, allowing only two hits and striking out seven batters. This is her third complete game of the season her third win for a record of 3-8. The right-hander gave up no hits until the sixth inning when a single was hit just out of the reach of the second baseman's glove.
At the dish,
Alexa DeMarse was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and a run of her own scored.
Alexis Jimenez added her support with two runs scored a solo-shot for an RBI.
Jaden Hill improved her hitting streak to four games going 1-for-3 today and scoring a run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego distanced themselves early with four runs scored in the first inning.
Jaden Hill got the Tritons started with a two-out single and
Alexis Jimenez advanced her with a walk.
Alexa DeMarse powered a bases-clearing double to right center to plate Hill and Jimenez, 2-0. The two-out rally continued as
Lily Hermosillo laced a hard hit at the pitcher to join DeMarse on the bases. Hermosillo proceeded to steal second with
Zara Wasserman at the plate. The first baseman was able to reach and allow DeMarse to score as an error was committed by the visitors.
Elise Nishimura stepped up to the plate and laced her own single past the shortstop to score Hermosillo. Wasserman and Nishimura were left stranded as the rally came to an end on a strikeout.
The pitchers continued to battle as
India Caldwell stranded a runner in the top and Maddie Heinlin went three-up, three-down.
In the bottom of the third,
Alexis Jimenez hit a leadoff solo-shot over the left field fence to pull further away from UCR, 5-0.
UC San Diego scored another run in the bottom of the sixth after capitalizing on a Highlander error. Wasserman became the leadoff runner as she reached once again on an error.
Ryanna Alano entered the game to run for Wasserman. A sac bunt from Nishimura moved the speedy Alano into scoring position and then a dropped third strike and wild pitch allowed
Scarlette Chapman to reach and move Alano to third. Playing their classic small ball and suicide squeeze,
Morgan Eng put down a bunt to the pitcher giving Alano the time she needed to make it the final 60 feet.
UP NEXT
The Tritons finish their series vs. UC Riverside on Sunday, March 23 in a doubleheader set to begin at 1 p.m. with the final game to follow immediately after. Both games will be live on ESPN+ with live statistics available via 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 began a new era in 2020 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 earned 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 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
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