Shay McDowell led the San José State softball team during a doubleheader against Santa Clara on Saturday at the Spartan Softball Complex. The Spartans split the games, winning the first 3-2 and dropping the second 4-1.
In the opening game, San José State scored early when Reina Zermeno doubled and later crossed home plate on a wild pitch. After falling behind 2-1 by the fifth inning, the Spartans responded with two runs in their half of the inning. Leata Sherlin tied the game with a single, and McDowell drove in what proved to be the winning run with an RBI double. Both Zermeno and McDowell collected two hits each.
Delaney Faus picked up her third win of the season after pitching five innings and giving up two runs. Norah Coulsell came out of the bullpen to deliver two scoreless innings, striking out two batters and earning her first save of the year.
Santa Clara took control in game two behind pitcher Ellison Schroeder, who did not allow a hit until Taylor Chillingworth reached base with a bunt single in the fifth inning. The Spartans managed their only run in the sixth when McDowell singled home Zermeno. Despite loading the bases with no outs that inning, they could not capitalize further.
Coulsell started for San José State in game two and was charged with her seventh loss after allowing two runs over four-and-two-thirds innings.
