San Diego Softball secured a 3-2 victory over Sacramento State on March 22, rallying for two runs in the top of the eighth inning to win the series finale at Shea Stadium.
The game was marked by strong pitching performances from both teams. San Diego starter Kelsey Tadlock kept Sacramento State scoreless through five innings, giving her team a chance to take the lead. The Toreros broke the tie in the sixth inning when Mallory Axline singled and later scored on an RBI single by Kaylee Oh.
Sacramento State tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, but Tadlock returned as a reliever with bases loaded and limited them to one run. In extra innings, Oh singled and advanced into scoring position on an error before Shawnese Hogue-Lacy hit an RBI double to put San Diego ahead. Hailey Mulligan followed with another RBI double, extending the lead to 3-1.
Sacramento State narrowed the gap with an RBI single in their half of the eighth, but Tadlock finished strong, stranding the tying run at third base. She earned the win after pitching 5.2 innings with four strikeouts. Kaitlyn Bartlow contributed 1.1 scoreless innings in relief.
Oh led San Diego’s offense with three hits and an RBI, while Hogue-Lacy and Mulligan each delivered key doubles during the decisive rally. The Toreros will begin West Coast Conference play next Friday against Oregon State at Kelly Field.
