By Sara Biela (@sarabielaa ):
San Jose State softball finished the Marucci Desert Classic 4-1 to move to 8-2 on the season. Here are five observations to take away from the tournament.
Caroline Bowman dominated as a starter, but did so-and-so as a reliever.
The freshman pitcher made two starts against the Idaho State Bengals and the Florida International Panthers. She also entered in relief twice against Seattle University Redhawks and Iowa State Cyclones. In her two starts, Bowman (5-0) gave up five runs in 12.0 innings for two complete–game victories. In her relief outing against the Redhawks, Bowman earned her fifth win of the season in 2.0 innings of work. On the other hand, when she came in relief against the Cyclones, Bowman threw for 1.1 innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits. She’s currently tied for third in the country in wins.
Offense came through in crucial moments
Three of the five games over the weekend were decided by one or two runs. In Friday’s matchup against South Dakota, the Spartans were down by one in the fifth and responded with three runs to take the lead and won, 6-5. Kaelin Amrein hit the game-winning, two-run single in the sixth inning. She’s currently ranked 13th in the country with a .615 batting average. In Saturday’s game against FIU, the Spartans never trailed but were able to tack on an insurance run from Jacey Phipps’ solo homer after the Panthers scored two in the sixth. In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Spartans gave up a 7-1 lead after six innings. In the bottom half, SJSU responded with three runs. An error and Amrein’s two-RBI single put them ahead for good at 10-7.
Madison Aurin struggled in the circle, but excelled in the batter’s box
The pitcher and first baseman had tough outings in the tournament. In three starts, Aurin (1-2) only pitched 10.0+ innings. She gave up 13 runs (11 earned) on 15 hits. However, the junior made up for her pitching mistakes at the plate. In five starts, Aurin went 5-15, with five hits and 10 RBIs. Aurin is now tied for third in the country with 17 RBIs in 10 games. She’s also ranks 13th with four homers. Pitching wasn’t there, but her offense led the team.
Mistakes on the defense
The Spartans recorded 12 errors in the five-game set, compared to the five errors they committed in five games at the Kajikawa Classic last weekend. Six of the 12 errors came against the Redhawks, with five of the errors being committed in innings where SU scored runs. In their lone tournament loss against the Cyclones, the Spartans had three errors, with only one run scoring from it. If the Spartans want a shot at shocking the world next week in Stockton or Palm Springs, limiting the errors on defense will be vital.
Good momentum going into Top-25 matchups
The Spartans will travel to Stockton to play the No. 7 LSU Tigers (10-0) on Thursday in their lone appearance in the Libby Matson tournament. Senior pitchers Carley Hoover and Allie Walljasper are averaging 0.25 and 0.50 ERAs in four games apiece, respectively. Three Tigers players lead the team with a .400 and above batting average. The next day, SJSU will start a five-game set in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs. The Spartans will face two Top-25 teams in the No. 13 Auburn Tigers (13-0) on Friday and the No. 3 Oregon Ducks (9-1) on Sunday.