TEMPE, Ariz.—South Dakota blasted five home runs, but it was a seventh-inning grand slam by San Jose State designated player Kaelin Amrein that was the difference in a 16-12 Spartan victory Thursday at the Kajikawa Classic hosted by Arizona State.
 
It was the season opener for San Jose State, the defending Mountain West champion which won 37 games last season including one in the NCAA tournament. South Dakota fell to 0-2.
 
Coyote second baseman Alyssa Fernandez was 2-for-3 with two home runs in her second game in Vermillion red. She hit a three-run shot as part of a four-run first inning for South Dakota. Her second was a two-run homer to right center in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game at 12-12.
 
Emily Winckler (second inning), Taylor Steinfeldt (third inning) and Jamie Holscher (fourth inning) each connected on two-run homers in helping South Dakota build a 10-3 lead. It was the second home run of the day for Holscher who finished 2-for-3. That trio along with Fernandez combined for all but one of South Dakota's nine hits against the Spartans.
 
San Jose State rallied with nine runs in the fifth to take its first lead at 12-10. Madison Aurin led off the inning with a solo shot and Grace Garvey's grand slam later in the inning closed the gap to 10-8. An error extended the inning and Aurin delivered again. Her two-run single put San Jose State ahead 11-10.
 
Two walks and a single by Cassidy Clark set the table in the final inning for Amrein, who came through with her second collegiate home run. Desiree Severance, who entered the circle in the bottom of the fourth, allowed two runs on two hits in 3 2/3 innings to pick up the win. She pitched a 1-2-3 seventh.
 
Sarah Lisko made her collegiate debut in the circle for South Dakota and pitched into the fifth. She reentered in the sixth and logged six innings in all.
 
The Coyotes return to action Friday against UC Davis at 6 p.m. CT.