The San Diego State women's softball team earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament over the weekend, so there was no nervousness when the Aztecs sat down to watch last night's selection show.
There was plenty of anticipation before it was revealed that the Aztecs (43-15) will meet Cal (40-24) at 5 p.m. on Friday at Fresno State in their opening game of the NCAA Regionals. They will be joined in the four-team, double-elimination regional by Sacramento State (32-19) and host Fresno State (51-11).
SDSU earned its fourth postseason appearance in eight years after beating UNLV on Saturday to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
The Aztecs are familiar with Cal, having beaten the Bears 7-0 in their second game of the season. SDSU posted a 3-2 home win over Fresno State earlier this year as well. The Aztecs have not faced Sacramento State this season.
Regional winners in the 64-team tournament advance to one of eight two-team Super Regionals. The eight winners in those best-of-three series advance to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Ticket information for the Fresno State Regional can be found at www.gobulldogs.com or by calling (559) 278-3647.
USD loses to USF
USD's pitching faltered for one of the few times this season in a 14-3 West Coast Conference baseball loss at USF, concluding the regular season for the No. 8-ranked Toreros (39-15, 16-5 WCC).
USD starting pitcher Kyle Blair, who was outstanding last week at Pepperdine, was knocked out in the second inning against the Dons (31-23, 12-9). Blair was charged with five runs (four earned). Sammy Solis replaced Blair and did not fare any better as USF scored seven runs for an 8-1 lead before Solis could get out of the inning. Solis allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief.
The Toreros are off this week for finals and don't return to the field until May 23-25 for the WCC Championship Series. USD will host either Pepperdine or Santa Clara in the best-of-three series.
SDSU third in MWC
New Mexico completed a three-game sweep at UNLV with a 15-10 win, dashing SDSU's hopes of getting one of the top two berths – and a first-round bye – in the upcoming Mountain West Conference Tournament. The Aztecs (30-22) will get the No. 3 seed, meaning they will have to play the opening game of the tournament.
SDSU plays host to Long Beach State tomorrow at 6 p.m. and concludes the regular season this weekend with a three-game series at Cal State Fullerton.
