LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego ran its record to 6-1 with a doubleheader sweep of visiting Utah Tech Thursday at Triton Softball Field as part of the USD/UCSD Co-Host Tournament. The Tritons earned a 9-0 win in five innings over the Trailblazers in the opener. UC San Diego rallied for a 9-8 victory in the nightcap.
Samantha Womack ripped her first career homer – a three-run blast in the game one win.
GAME ONE: TRITONS 9, UTAH TECH 0 (5 INNINGS)
UC San Diego collected 10 hits and took advantage of two Utah Tech errors, while
Bella Settembro pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only four hits.
UC San Diego broke open a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning with a decisive three-run frame.
Elise Nishimura reached on a fielding error, setting the stage for
Samantha Womack to deliver a three-run homer to deep right field, bringing home
Gianna Ioja and Nishimura. This gave UC San Diego a 3-0 lead, which they would not relinquish.
In the third inning, UC San Diego capitalized on more opportunities to extend its lead.
Haley Garcia tripled to right-center, driving in Womack after a wild pitch advanced the runners.
Marley Espiau followed with a single up the middle, scoring Garcia and pushing the margin to 6-0. The Tritons' offense continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning, highlighted by Ioja's RBI double and
Zara Wasserman's two-run single, securing the victory.
Utah Tech struggled to generate any significant offense against the Tritons' pitching, managing just four hits and leaving six runners on base throughout the game. Despite occasional threats, Utah Tech couldn't capitalize, leaving UC San Diego's lead unchallenged.
Haley Garcia posted a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring twice and driving in a run with a triple. Womack contributed three RBIs, highlighted by a home run, while also crossing the plate twice. Nishimura scored two runs and added a hit, helping advance three runners. Settembro pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits over five innings to secure her second win.
Settembro delivered a strong performance for the Tritons, pitching a complete game shutout against Utah Tech. She allowed four hits over 5 innings, did not concede any runs, and issued two walks. Settembro faced 21 batters and threw 69 pitches, achieving 41 strikes. The freshman pitcher kept Utah Tech off balance, inducing 10 fly outs and five ground outs without allowing any extra-base hits.
GAME TWO: TRITONS 9, UTAH TECH 8
UC San Diego tallied six runs in the second inning, contributing to its 11-hit performance, while Utah Tech responded with 12 hits in a tightly contested matchup.
Utah Tech seized the lead in the second inning with a scoring burst, highlighted by a two-run double down the left field line from Kinley Pappas. This swing put the Trailblazers ahead, 4-0, but the Tritons responded with a rally of their own in the bottom half.
Haley Garcia's RBI single ignited a six-run inning for the Tritons, capped by a two-RBI single from
Zara Wasserman that put the team in front.
UC San Diego continued to build its advantage in the fourth inning.
Maalia Cherry launched a solo home run to right field, and
Samantha Womack's RBI double extended the lead. Garcia's RBI single in the inning further padded the margin, giving the Tritons a 9-5 cushion. Despite the Trailblazers' late push in the seventh, the Tritons held on, with key contributions from Garcia and Cherry helping secure the victory.
Haley Garcia recorded three hits in four at-bats, driving in two runs and scoring once.
Samantha Womack added two hits, including a double, and contributed two RBIs.
Maalia Cherry hit a home run and collected two RBIs, also scoring one run.
Zara Wasserman reached base twice with a hit and a walk, driving in two runs with a single.
Callie Howard pitched 5 innings for UC San Diego, allowing 9 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out 3 batters and walking 1. Howard faced 26 batters and threw 89 pitches, 55 of which were strikes, and gave up four doubles.
Lauren Rozell took over in relief, pitching 2 innings and conceding 3 runs on 3 hits, with 2 walks and a hit batter. Rozell faced 13 batters, throwing 50 pitches, with half going for strikes.
TRITON TIDBITS
- At 6-1, UC San Diego is off to its best Division I start.
- Triton pitchers Bella Settembro and Callie Howard both improved to 2-0 this season.
- DP Maalia Cherry homered to right in the fourth – her first long ball as a Triton.
UP NEXT
Tournament play continues with four games Friday in La Jolla. The Tritons will take on Weber State at 4:30 and FDU at 7. Both games can be heard on KSDT radio. Admission is free.
