May 15, 2004

Box Score

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The San Diego State softball team fell in the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship game to Utah, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon. The Utes earn the MWC's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

The Utes struck early, tallying a run in the top of the first with a leadoff single, Aztec throwing error and sacrifice fly to Aztec second baseman Joann Figueroa (Phoenix, Ariz.), who was running away from the infield when she made the catch.

The first nine Aztecs were retired in order, but shortstop Meagan Hartung (San Diego, Calif.) led off the fourth with a liner to the left-center gap for a double. Left fielder Erin Mahoney (Westchester, Calif.) bunted Hartung to third and center fielder Janna Kovensky (San Diego, Calif.) walked, but third baseman Kelcy Murphy (San Diego, Calif.) hit hard liner to the pitcher and Kovensky was doubled up at first.

After a leadoff Ute single in the top of the seventh, designated player Kate Nygaard hit the first pitch from Aztec relief pitcher Celena Velasquez (Tucson, Ariz.) over the left field fence for a two-run homer.

For the game, starting pitcher Cori Janelli (Visalia, Calif.) 5+ scoreless innings and finished the tournament with 10 scoreless innings.

Janelli and catcher Danielle Touhey (Fresno, Calif.) were named to the all-MWC Tournament team.

The Aztecs will now watch the NCAA Tournament selection show from 5-6 p.m. on Sunday, broadcast on ESPNews. If San Diego State is selected to participate, they will head for one of eight regional sites and play a first-round game on Thursday.