The San Diego State Aztec softball team needed to win two in Saturday’s matchup versus Fresno State to secure the Mountain West Tournament Title.

The Aztecs did just that, winning both games with the same result of 3-1.

Coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz has now led the Aztecs to four Mountain West Championships. Coach Nuveman-Deniz won all four with two special players, Dee Dee Hernandez and Bella Espinoza. She had this to say about winning all four with those two. “We call ourselves the OGs, because we have been here for all four championships, and it’s cool, they now have a ring for each finger, and we aren’t done yet,” Coach Nuveman- Deniz said.

San Diego State entrusted the ball in the circle to its ace, Cece Cellura.

The mentality after Thursday’s loss to Fresno State was simple: Play loose and play like you have something to lose. The Aztecs responded in a big way to Coach Nuveman-Deniz’s message. Coach Nuvema Deniz spoke regarding how her team responded in the last four games. “We are on a roll right now, and it is something we can carry into the next week. I love the resolve and that we were able to flip the switch,” Coach Nuveman-Deniz said.

The Aztecs only got two hits in game one, but they made the Pitcher of the Year work. Serayah Neiss had 52 pitches before being relieved by Key-Annah Campbell-Pu’a. The Aztecs got her into many long counts, getting two hits off of her, including two walks as well. Julie Holcomb plated two on a triple to center, and then was driven in by a sac bunt from Cali Decker.

Julie Holcomb with a two-run triple to deep center and we now lead 2-0!! #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/A1M4pxkFQ4

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) May 10, 2025

Cellura came on to pitch and slammed the door on the Bulldogs after Hernandez worked 1.1 innings.

Securing a game two, Coach Nuveman Deniz went to her ace yet again.

The Aztecs scored early thanks to Decker’s RBI double to plate Espinoza in the first. San Diego State plated two in the second, thanks yet again to Cali Decker. Before the Bulldogs knew it, they were in a three-run hole. Cellura mimicked her start in the second game of the day. She went the first four innings without letting a run come across. Hernandez would yet again come in and pitch an inning. Hernandez got herself into a bases-loaded jam with two down; she forced a ground ball right back to her for the out.

.@CaliDecker gives us an early 1-0 lead with an RBI double to left center field!! #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/egd3DqkC4k

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) May 10, 2025

Coach Nuveman-Deniz spoke about her pitching staff, “Having a staff is critical, Fresno had a staff but their ace ran out of gas, she was out of it, we didn’t have that, we didn’t have to use her for 21 innings coming into Championship Saturday, and that is a testament to all of them and the confidence I and we all have in them to get it done,” Nuveman-Deniz said. Coach also spoke on the importance of Cali Decker and having her behind the plate; “She has been so great and solid for us in her career here, she has made some big postseason moments, she did it this weekend, and she will do it again next weekend, she is a rock behind the plate, and I am excited to see her finish it out,” the SDSU head coach said proudly.

Fresno State was down 3-0, and time was running out. The Aztec ace, Cellura, was out to pitch again in the 7th, hoping to shut the door on the Bulldogs’ chances at a Mountain West Tournament Championship.

She did just that, inducing a ground out to Jazmin Williams, securing the Aztecs’ third straight Mountain West Tournament Championship. After the victory, Coach Nuveman-Deniz spoke about her ace Cece Cellura; “She is an Aztec for life, she is a competitor, and she leads the way for us, she wants the ball in those big moments, she doesn’t shy away. It doesn’t matter how tired or how hot she is, she wants to be the one to get the job done. You can’t teach that, that is heart that is gut, and she sets the tone,” Coach Nuveman-Deniz said.

How the (Mountain) West was won: #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/JtnHL4kbfD

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) May 10, 2025

After the game and the festivities had ended, Cellura spoke about her feeling coming into the games on Saturday. “Excited but nervous, I knew there was a lot on the line; I had to give my best and trust that I was going to get the job done,” Cellura stated.  Cellura spoke about the feeling in the last two innings before securing the Championship; “I was feeling good, they are good team and was expecting them to respond, I felt good and knew what was going to happen, I put a lot of trust into my teammates behind me and fell on them when I needed too,” Cellura said.

The Aztec ace spoke on the seniors and what they mean to her: “They were my mentors coming in last year, my freshman year, so seeing them go as hard, God blessed me with them. I wouldn’t have been able to go this far without them. It’s been a blessing to have them and their knowledge. I got emotional knowing this is their last home game, but it is awesome they stamped their legacy.”

Who else but @cellura2023 for @MountainWest Tournament MVP!! pic.twitter.com/AYpWP1Umc2

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) May 11, 2025

Espinoza spoke after the game on winning her fourth Mountain West Title. “It feels amazing, we set that goal earlier in the year, to watch it play out, losing that first game, playing win or go home after that, it was just awesome,” Espinoza stated. She also spoke on winning all four years on the Mesa with Head Coach Nuveman Deniz and her fellow senior Dee Dee Hernandez; “We all turned towards each other and were like so happy this finally happened, and I can look back and say I won four championships here,” Espinoza said.

Nobody could get @bellaespinoza18 out this week!! #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/RCwypfVZFP

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) May 11, 2025

The Aztecs had four All-Tournament team selections: Bella Espinoza, Cali Decker, Julie Holcomb, and Cece Cellura. Cellura won the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award. After winning the Mountain West Tournament, the Aztecs claimed an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals. According to WarrenNolan.com, the Aztecs’ current RPI heading into tomorrow’s Selection Show is 29.

All the Aztecs can do now is watch the selection this Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 to find out where they will be traveling.

Bryant Thursby

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