San Francisco, Calif..--- SF State's softball team snapped its five-game losing streak this afternoon by sweeping a conference doubleheader from the visiting 16th ranked UC San Diego Tritons (31-21, 14-16 CCAA) by winning both games by the score of 2-1. With the sweep, the Gators improve to 28-22 overall and 14-16 in the CCAA.
In game one, SF State was held hitless by the Tritons' Melissa Ward until the Gators' half of the fifth inning.
Kendra Wood (Fr, DP/P, San Jose, Calif/Lynbrook HS) opened the inning with an infield single and scored on her twin sister's (
Kelsey Wood (Fr, C, San Jose, Calif/Lynbrook HS) home run to left field, her sixth of the season to give the Gators the 2-0 lead.
UC San Diego, who is ranked second in the region, scored in the seventh on a two-out RBI single by Megan Grace that scored Randelle Bundy.
Ashley Jackson (Fr, P, Vallejo, Calif/St. Patrick's-St. Vincent HS) got the final Triton to ground out to secure the 2-1 win for SF State with the tying and go-ahead runs on base.
Jackson(14-8) pitched a six-hit complete game victory while striking out nine and walking one. She gave up just one unearned run. The Wood sisters had both of the Gators' hits.
Melissa Ward (14-13) picked up the loss for UC San Diego striking out 10 batters while walking just one in six innings of work and giving up two hits and two runs. Sarah Woofter and Jenny Maze each had two hits to lead the way for the Tritons.
In the night cap, Allison May scored the game's first run in the Triton fourth on a RBI by Danielle Lukk. The score remained 1-0 UC San Diego, until SF State's seventh.
Alyssa Esquibel (Fr, OF, San Jose, Calif/Archbishop Mitty HS) reached first on a walk with one out. She advanced to second on a single by
McKenna Coelho (Fr, 1B, Tempelton, Calif/Templeton HS) single to left and scored on a RBI single by
Kelly McDonald (Fr, 2B, Gilroy, Calif/Live Oak HS). The game remained tied at 1-1 until SF State's ninth.
Karolyn Gubbine (So, OF, Richmond, Calif/Pinole Valley HS) reached on a fielder's choice and later scored the game-winning run on a two-out RBI infield single by
Kendra Wood to give the Gators the 2-1 victory and the sweep of the Tritons.
Kendra Wood (11-7) picked up the win, pitching nine innings, giving up five hits and one unearned run while striking out four and walking one. Christine Zankich (5-4) picked up the loss for UC San Diego in relief of Lauren Chastain.
Lukk had two of the Tritons' five hits while
Lea Cardenas (Fr, 3B, Sanger, Calif/Sanger HS),
Jordanna Freemer (Sr, SS, Oakley, Calif/Freedom HS), and
Kendra Wood each had two hits to lead the way for SF State, who is ranked eighth in this week's region poll.
The two teams will conclude their four-game series tomorrow morning at 11am with another CCAA doubleheader. Before the game, SF State will recognize both teams' seniors including their own
Jordanna Freemer.
