Stockton, Calif. - In a midweek contest at SJSU Field in San Jose, the Pacific Softball team dropped a 12-4 decision in five innings to the host Spartans. The Tigers fell to 10-25 on the season while San Jose State, competing in a break from Mountain West play, improved to 23-11 on the season.

The Tigers struck with a run in the top of the first inning as Melanie Habib singled on the infield while freshmen Molly Bourne and Sydney Lahners walked and sophomore Cassidy Gustafson walked with the bases loaded, picking up an RBI for her patience and giving Pacific a 1-0 lead. Pacific starter freshman Megan Walters (0-2) took the circle for the bottom of the inning and pitched a scoreless frame in the bottom of the first. Walters got into trouble in the second inning, issuing three walks and hitting a batter, allowing SJSU to take an early 2-1 lead. Pacific went to the bullpen, summoning senior Dani Bonnet to the circle. Bonnet got a quick out before surrendering a sac fly from Jessica Madrid and a three-run homer from Jessie Hufstetler as the Spartans jumped out to a 6-1 lead over Pacific.

In the top of the third, junior Nicole Zapotoczny lashed a double off the left field wall in front of Lahners, who singled, advancing Zapotoczny to third. SJSU then went to the bullpen, bringing in Katelyn Linford in relief of starter Madison Fish. Gustafson reached on a fielder's choice as Lahners was put out at second. On the play, Zapotoczny scored cutting the SJSU advantage to 6-2.

Bonnet got into trouble in the bottom of the inning, allowing three straight singles and a one-out double from Madrid before new Tiger pitcher freshman Marissa Young came into the contest and was able to end the frame. The Spartans took a 10-2 lead into the top of the fourth inning and Pacific yet again responded with a single run as Zapotoczny singled plating junior Sara Anderson, who led off the inning with a single through the ride side.   In the bottom of the fourth, Young surrendered four singles, leading to two more runs for SJSU and a 12-2 lead.

In the top of the fifth, new Spartans pitcher Allison Lang gave up a long home run to Gustafson, who deposited the ball past the fence in left-center field, but was able to recover to set down the rest of the Tigers she faced in order, sending the host Spartans to their fourth straight run-rule shortened victory. For Pacific, Anderson and Zapotoczny each picked up a pair of hits while Gustafson had three of the four RBI for the Orange and Black.

Pacific will return to action at Bill Simoni Field with a matchup against Stanford on Tuesday, March 31st at 6:00 pm. Live video and stats links for the contest will be available via PacificTigers.com

For the latest on the Pacific Softball program, be sure to follow @PacificSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.