SAN DIEGO — UC San Diego used a three-run fifth to rally for a 5-4 victory over Colorado State (4-6) at the Reggie Smith Softball Complex on Sunday in the final game of the USD/UCSD Co-Host Tournament. Sophomore DP
Maalia Cherry's three-run fifth-inning home run proved to be the difference for the Tritons, who have won seven straight and have a 10-1 record this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Colorado State took its first lead in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a three-run homer by Jailey Wilson to left field, bringing in Autumn Rutherford and Lauren Stucky, giving the Rams a 4-2 advantage.
UC San Diego had previously seized control in the second inning when
Lily Hermosillo and
Elise Nishimura scored on
Tyla Arbuckle's bunt single, aided by a throwing error. In the bottom of the fifth,
Maalia Cherry responded with a crucial three-run homer to center field, reclaiming the lead for the Tritons at 5-4. Cherry's hit brought Arbuckle and
Haley Garcia across the plate, proving decisive in the contest.
Despite CSU's pressure, the Tritons maintained their lead through effective pitching and defense, including
Callie Howard's two scoreless innings to close the game.
Beyond Cherry's three-run homer, catcher
Lily Hermosillo contributed with two hits and a run scored.
Haley Garcia added a hit and scored a run. In the circle, Howard pitched two innings, allowing one hit and striking out two batters, earning her first save.
TRITON TIDBITS
- Sunday's game was UC San Diego's first this season played outside La Jolla.
- Maalia Cherry's home run was her second of the season, tying her for the team lead.
- Freshman Bella Settembro pitched two innings of relief, picking up her fourth win in the circle this season.
UP NEXT
UC San Diego heads east to take place in the prestigious Mary Nutter Classic next week in Cathedral City. First up, the Tritons will face Cal and California Baptist on Thursday. The games will be streamed live on FloSports ($).
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 in NCAA Division I. The 24-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 NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
