Aztecs fall to Grand Canyon, are eliminated from NCAA softball playoffs

San Diego State’s return trip to the Los Angeles Regional was a brief one.

Grand Canyon scored two runs in the first inning and five in the seventh to eliminate the Aztecs from the NCAA postseason, 9-7, at UCLA’s Easton Stadium.

Saturday’s loss came a little more than 24 hours after the Aztecs fell to No. 15 Virginia Tech in their Regional opener.

Unlike Friday’s game, Saturday came with some drama — almost all of it at the end.

San Diego State scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh and had runners at second and third with two outs when slugger Mac Barbara stepped up to the plate. First base was open, and Grand Canyon took advantage of the no-brainer move: The Lopez walked Barbara intentionally, bringing up Alyssa Garcia with the season on the line. She took a pitch for a ball, then grounded out to second, ending the game.

This weekend marked SDSU’s second trip to the Los Angeles Regional in as many years. The Aztecs emerged victorious a year ago, winning three games in a row to advance to the first Super Regional in program history.

Garcia and Angie Yellen finished with two RBIs apiece. Barbara walked in three of her four at-bats. SDSU finishes the season 31-20.