San Diego State delivered in a pinch on Thursday only to get slammed by one of college softball’s reigning superpowers.
Second-ranked Oklahoma scored five runs in the ninth inning, four coming on a grand slam by Isabela Emerling, and the Sooners topped the host Aztecs 11-6 in extra innings. The come-from-behind win in front of a sold-out crowd marred a SDSU opening day that began with an 8-1 win over Cal State Northridge.
San Diego State led the Sooners 3-0 after two innings thanks to an inspired pinch-hitting decision — and a big hit.
SDSU’s Lala Macario dropped a bunt single down the third base line with one out. She stole second, then Quinn Waiki walked. Julie Holcomb struck out, bringing up Kate Farren, the Aztecs’ No. 9 hitter.
Seeing a chance to strike early against the four-time defending Women’s College World Series champions, SDSU coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz called Farren back for pinch-hitter Shannon Cunningham. She ripped an 0-2 pitch over the center field wall, giving SDSU a 3-0 lead.
It was a stellar first impression by Cunningham, an Arizona State transfer who grew up in Newport Beach and attended Santa Ana’s Foothill High School. She chose the Aztecs over offers from Cal State Fullerton, Boise State and Louisiana Tech.
Oklahoma scored one run in the third and four in the fifth, taking a 5-3 lead. SDSU tied it with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, when Grace Uribe ripped a two-run single through the left side. The teams reached scored a single run in the eighth before Oklahoma’s five-run rally in the ninth.
SDSU was led by Cunningham as well as Jazmin Williams, who finished 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles. Dee Dee Hernandez allowed seven runs — just four of them earned — in 4 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking five. Cece Cellura pitched the decisive ninth inning.
SDSU (1-1) plays Cal State Fullerton and Southern University on Friday in Fullerton, then takes on Army on Sunday in Riverside. Oklahoma (2-0) faces Cal Baptist and Cal State Fullerton.
