The Aztecs started the season 13-3 and ranked in most major softball polls before this past weekend in Fullerton.

After the Aztecs’ weekend ended Sunday afternoon, they left Fullerton with the same number of wins that they came in with.

The Aztecs went a shocking 0-5 in Fullerton this past weekend. A flabbergasting result that many fans did not think was possible.

The weekend started on Friday with a walk-off loss to Weber State. Prior to this weekend, the team had only four wins on their resume. It was a horrific loss for the Aztecs.

The Aztecs struggled everywhere this past weekend. In the first game, the Aztecs committed errors multiple times, which led to its walk-off loss to Weber State. Coach Deniz was almost ejected from this game after a questionable out-call at home plate. Bella Espinoza hit a grounder to short while Holcomb was on third and raced home. The throw beat her, but according to a very hot crowd as well as Coach Deniz, it should have been catcher’s interference.

After looking at the video replay after the game, it seems the umpire made the right call, as Holcomb did have a slight path to the plate to score the run.

After the walk-off loss to Weber State, the Aztecs had a quick turnaround when facing off against Notre Dame. They needed to get it together and fast.

The bats were as cold as ice until the very last inning.

Ava Schaffel started the game for the Aztecs but was quickly pulled after giving up two runs early. Cece Cellura came in and was efficient, then gave up a run. Dede Hernandez came in and induced a ground ball to end the inning. After ending the inning, Hernandez gave up a two-run home run, getting the Aztecs out of slam range. The Aztecs came up in the top half of the 7th and put up a four spot, led by a Cunningham two-run home run with two outs in the inning.

The crowd gained life but was immediately silenced after Quinn Waiki hit a fly ball on the warning track in the center to end the game.

Coach Deniz made a lineup change the following day, hoping to get the bats going early against Utah, the Aztecs’ lone matchup on Saturday.

SDSU was shut out and lost 1-0.

The Aztecs only produced four hits in the game, while Cellura pitched a gem. The Aztecs went into Sunday hoping to salvage what was already a poor weekend showing in Fullerton. SDSU seemed to have figured it out early vs Arizona, going up 2-1 after a Grace Uribe two-run home run.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Wildcats scored seven runs to take an 8-2 lead and did not look back.

Dede Hernandez started the game for the Aztecs but was quickly chased from the game in the second after giving up five runs to the Wildcats in less than two innings. Ava Schaffel came in and gave up three runs quickly. The Wildcats run-ruled the Aztecs 11-3, getting to both Hernandez and Schaffel.

The Aztecs hoped to get revenge vs. Fullerton after losing to them earlier in the year.

They did not, losing the game 7-4.

Grace Uribe started the game for the Aztecs, going four innings and only giving up three runs. Cece Cellura relieved her and struggled for the first time over the weekend, giving up four runs in two innings. The bats seemed to have woken up in the last game, but it was not enough.

The two Aztec players who seemingly played well over the weekend were Cali Decker and Cece Cellura. Decker continued to show how great of a hitter she is in the box and how disciplined she is, waiting for her pitch. Cellura pitched well despite a rough final game vs. Fullerton. Cellura seems to have gotten her swagger back, which could bode well for the Aztecs heading into conference play next weekend.

The Aztecs have a chance this upcoming weekend to possibly get a 4-0 weekend going into the conference opener at Utah State on March 14.

On Friday, the Aztecs face LMU in a doubleheader, starting at 3:30 PM and then at 6:00 PM.

Following the doubleheader vs. LMU, the Aztecs have games against Sac State at noon and 5:00 PM and then play 6th ranked UCLA.

If the Aztecs are going to have a chance at a 4-0 weekend, they need to get back to the basics.

Most of the hitters besides Uribe and Decker struggled, especially lead-off specialist Espinoza, who had a very off weekend at the dish. They also need someone in the circle besides Cellura to step up; that is how the Aztecs were so successful early in the season. Every pitcher was contributing in a big way, and all the bats were contributing even more. They played with a chip on their shoulder; it seems they may have lost that chip.

Bryant Thursby

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