News Summary
The San Diego State University (SDSU) softball team achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Mountain West Tournament championship, defeating Fresno State twice with a score of 3-1 in both games. This victory signifies SDSU’s 12th tournament title and qualifies them for their 15th NCAA Tournament appearance. The team’s solid performance throughout the tournament highlighted outstanding pitching and stellar contributions from key players, solidifying their position as a dominant force in college softball.
San Diego – The San Diego State University (SDSU) softball team triumphed over Fresno State twice with a score of 3-1 in both games on Saturday, claiming the Mountain West Tournament championship. This victory marks SDSU’s record 12th title in the tournament’s history and secures the team’s 15th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Following a loss to Fresno State on Thursday, where they were defeated 3-0, SDSU entered Saturday in a do-or-die situation, needing to win both games to clinch the tournament title. In the first game, the Aztecs delivered a strong performance, with Julie Holcomb hitting a pivotal two-run triple in the third inning, followed by scoring on a well-executed bunt. This explosive inning allowed SDSU to secure a 3-1 lead. Cece Cellura and Dee Dee Hernandez effectively contained Fresno State’s offense, allowing them to score only once in the sixth inning.
The second game mirrored the first in competitive intensity, with Cali Decker making significant contributions. She opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning and solidified the team’s lead with a two-run single in the second inning. Once again, the duo of Cellura and Hernandez maintained control over Fresno’s batting lineup, limiting their scoring to just one run in the sixth inning.
Cellura’s outstanding pitching performance throughout the tournament earned her the Tournament MVP title. Alongside her, notable players such as Cali Decker, Julie Holcomb, and Bella Espinoza were recognized as part of the All-Tournament Team, alongside various athletes from Fresno State and Nevada.
This championship win not only highlights SDSU’s prowess in the conference but also marks a significant achievement, as the team has now won the Mountain West Tournament three consecutive times from 2023 to 2025. This achievement is noteworthy as it is only the third time in the history of the conference that a team has received an automatic NCAA Tournament bid for three straight years.
In addition to their tournament successes, SDSU boasts a remarkable 21-12 record overall in Mountain West Tournament play, which gives them the highest win total and best winning percentage (.636) in the tournament’s history. The Aztecs finished the 2025 season with an impressive 20-5 record at home in SDSU Softball Stadium.
As anticipation builds, the NCAA Tournament Selection Show is slated for Sunday at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN2, where SDSU will find out their first-round opponent. The Aztecs’ performance in the Mountain West Tournament has set high expectations for their upcoming journey in the NCAA tournament, further solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in college softball.
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HERE Resources
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SDSU Softball Dominates Colorado State with a 10-2 Victory
SDSU Softball Triumphs Over Colorado State in Dominating Finale
Cece Cellura Shines Again for SDSU Softball
Additional Resources
- SDSU Softball Tournament Start
- Wikipedia: Softball
- SDSU Wins Mountain West Tournament
- Google Search: SDSU softball Mountain West Tournament
- Quinn Waiki Named MW Defensive Player
- Google Scholar: College Softball
- SDSU Softball Conference Crown
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Sports
- SDSU Falls in Tournament Opener
