San Diego State softball returns home after a series win in Boise over the weekend.

The Aztecs looked to be in for a long weekend after a run-rule loss began the series. SDSU won two in a row thanks to the offense stepping up in the second and third games.

San Diego State will now be tested just two weeks before the Mountain West Tournament in their home stadium against No. 12 Arizona. SDSU and Arizona faced off in the Judi Garman Classic earlier this year. The Wildcats won the contest in an 11-3 run-rule win in six innings.

The Wildcats’ offense went to work in the prior matchup against these two teams. Dee Dee Hernandez was the starter for the game, and she gave up seven runs in 1.1 innings of work. Ava Schaffel took over and went the rest of the game, giving up seven hits and four runs. The Aztecs took an early 2-1 lead thanks to Grace Uribe and her two-run home run in the second inning. The Wildcats responded with ten runs to put the game away. Expect to see Cece Cellura start one of the two games along with Grace Uribe.

Arizona has depth offensively across its lineup.

The Wildcats as a whole offensively bat .360 with an OPS of over 1.000. They can take the extra base with some speed, but Cali Decker and Jade Ignacio are one of, if not the best, catching duos at throwing out base runners. The Wildcats have hit 66 home runs on the year so far and are team very prone to breaking a game wide open.

They have many key players on offense.

Sophomore utility player Regan Shockey and junior catcher Sydney Stewart lead them. Shockey is a speed demon on the basepaths. With 17 steals on the year, she is a very dangerous hitter who can take over games and make opposing catchers and pitchers extremely worried. Stewart leads the Wildcats with a .55o OBP and has also hit 14 home runs this year. She is very reminiscent of former Aztec and Texas A&M Aggie Mac “Tank” Barbara.

The Aztec pitching staff and defense will need to be on their game to give the offense a chance in this one. They must keep the ball low and away and not let the long ball be a factor.

Arizona and its pitching staff are vast, but are led by two mainstays in the circle.

Graduate student Miranda Stoddard leads in ERA with a 1.93. Redshirt senior Devyn Netz leads the team in innings pitched with 117.1 innings and a BAA of .212. The Aztecs could see more than just these two, but they will be Arizona’s main pitchers in both games. The lone weakness in the Netz game is that she is very prone to giving up the long ball at times. The Aztec batters will get a pitch they like early and often in these two games. The Wildcats do not give free passes, and the Aztecs need to capitalize on their pitch when it’s given.

Coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz did an excellent job scheduling tough opponents all year.

Facing the Arizona Wildcats two weeks before the Mountain West Tournament was great scheduling by Deniz. Being able to face this competition will be beneficial for the entire Aztec lineup.

The first game will be Friday, April 25, at 6 PM PT, and the first 250 fans will receive free trucker hats. On Saturday, April 26, the Aztecs Pride Game will be played at noon PT.

It is time for the Aztecs to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament field, starting this Friday.

Bryant Thursby

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