The San Diego State Aztecs came into Saturday hoping to make the UCLA regional final for the second time in three years.

The Aztecs did not get a win on Saturday, and they were eliminated from the NCAA Softball Tournament. They lost their first game against UCLA 10-0 in a run-rule six-inning loss. They then waited almost five hours before starting the elimination game against UCSB. The Aztecs lost that game 7-5 in eight innings.

The Aztecs opened the day with a matchup versus the UCLA Bruins in hopes of winning and advancing to the regional final. The Bruins came out swinging with three straight hits. Including a three-run home run by Jordan Woolery to put the Bruins up 3-0 before the Aztecs even stepped into the batter’s box.

The Aztecs could not get anything going offensively, only getting two hits and one walk against Kaitlyn Terry of UCLA. After giving up three quick runs, Cece Cellura settled in quickly before being relieved by Dee Dee Hernandez in the fourth. Hernandez came in and gave up six runs, with three of them being earned. After losing, the Aztecs awaited the winner of UCSB versus ASU in a win-or-go-home game.

UCSB and Arizona State went into extras, going to the tenth inning.

The Gauchos walked it off on an error by former Aztec AJ Murphy, bringing the winning run across. The Aztecs now knew their assignment and were ready to try to force a rematch against UCLA. Cellura started once again and gave up two quick runs to the Gauchos in the first. Cellura settled in before being relieved by Grace Uribe in the fourth. Down by two runs with two runners on, Cali Decker stepped up to the plate. The senior backstop hit a three-run home run to put the Aztecs on top 3-2 in the third.

That one felt like sunshine on a cloudy day!!!@CaliDecker with a three-run 💣 and we lead 3-2!!!

📺: @ESPNPlus #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/jx8KEGJTA1

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) May 18, 2025

Uribe would come out for the fifth inning, but did not get a Gaucho out.

She walked the first two batters and then gave up a go-ahead home run to Jazzy Santos to make it 5-4 Gauchos. Cellura came back in for the Aztecs, hoping to keep it a one-run game. The Aztecs went into the 7th, down by a run, down to their final three outs.

With one out in the 7th, Gabriella Terrones came up clutch once again with a double. Quinn Waiki came up and moved over Jayleen Hernandez, who ran for Terrones. Then, down to her and the Aztecs’ last strike, Shannon Cunningham ripped a base hit up the middle to tie the game.

Cunningham had this to say after the loss, “In that moment, I just knew I didn’t want that to be my last inning with these seniors. Coming in as a transfer, it’s like you are a freshman all over again. I’m from Southern California, but San Diego is a new area. They were so impactful in so many different ways. Going into that moment, there was no way in “expletive” I am going down without a fight. I did not want this to be their last, and I do the best I can.” Cunningham tells EVT.

She added, “I knew from my previous at-bats that I thought I had seen her well, so I was going to make her throw more pitches. I just wanted to make her come to me. I have never felt happier looking back into that dugout and seeing those seniors, and going like I did not want that being my last moment with them. I am so grateful for them and grateful that I am here; this is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life, and I wanted to do it for them. I was doing this for these seniors because I wanted them to leave on a good note.”

Down to her last strike, @shancunnningham comes through with a game-tying RBI single!! We’re headed to extras in LA!!

📺: @ESPNPlus #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/xamwFp8EKN

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) May 18, 2025

The Aztecs would fall an inning later in extras after the Gauchos put up two runs in the 8th.

The Aztec Softball season had come to an end. After the heartbreaking loss, Coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz had this to say in her opening statement. “It’s always hard to see your season end. This one hurts a lot, especially because of our senior class. The impact they have had on this program. The message to them tonight was even though this hurts, they left this program in a lot better place than they found it. That is legacy, and there is nothing more powerful than that. Really proud of these seniors who left behind a legacy that is going to be hard to replicate,” the SDSU coach said.

Coach Nuveman-Deniz also spoke about the fight the team showed and how big a part of the culture she and the team have built. “As a part of our culture, I would like to think that is, that is why we are who we are. That’s why we have four championships in a row. We have had great teams, but we have beaten teams that maybe were better than us in a certain season or time. There is just something about the way that we connect. The hard work is done in the clubhouse, building relationships and building trust. The softball results happen on the field when the players are bought in, so they do it together. It’s something we do really well, and it shows up when the game is on the line,” Coach Nuveman-Deniz stated passionately.

Coach Nuveman-Deniz also noted, “Tonight was a great example. I think it’s a testament to the people who have come through this program and the way we continue to build and grow and recruit all those things in people who want to be part of something like that. Take the time because it takes time to build a culture like that, so when we get on the field in the competitive moments, that connection is really strong and powerful.”

The Aztecs ended the season 38-19, finishing second in the Mountain West Conference regular season. They added another championship to the resume and along the left field fence, and also added another regional appearance in the process.

It was not how Coach Nuveman-Deniz and the Aztecs wanted to go out, but it was still a successful season, and there is loads to be proud of as a player and as a coach.

Bryant Thursby

Assistant Coach at Heritage High School. A big time SDSU fanatic and Padres fan.