PHOENIX – Danielle Chapman (San Jose, California, Westmont, San Jose City College) and Kendra Wood (San Jose, California, Lynbrook) each hit home runs to lead the San Francisco State softball team to a 10-4 victory over Grand Canyon University in the opening game of a non-conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at Stapleton-Pierson Field in Phoenix, Ariz. The Gators came back from a 6-0 deficit in the nightcap, but were unable to protect a 9-6 lead before ultimately falling by a 10-9 count. With the split, SF State is now 11-14 on the season, while the Antelopes move to 22-14 overall.
The Gators got things rolling in the first inning of game one as Monica Amburgey (Monterey, California, Monterey) drove in Chapman and Kelsey Wood (San Jose, California, Lynbrook) with a two-run double down the left field line. Shortly thereafter, Jessica Delgado (Monterey, California, North Monterey, Cal State Monterey Bay)knocked in Lea Cardenas (Sanger, California, Sanger)with an RBI single. Then in the second, Kelly McDonald (Gilroy, California, Live Oak) scored on Kendra Wood's RBI groundout, giving SF State a 4-0 cushion.
GCU trimmed the deficit to 4-3 in its half of the third on a two-run homer by Randi Johns and Erika Reay's RBI single. The Antelopes then knotted the score in the fourth after Yasmeen Watkins reached on a fielder's choice to bring in Kara Holtorf.
The Gators took the lead for good with three runs in the fifth as Kelsey Wood came home on a throwing error, while McDonald doubled to drive in Amburgey and later scored on a Chapman single. The SF State outburst continued in the sixth as Kendra Wood led off the frame with a home run to center field. She also added an RBI single on the heels of Chapman's solo shot in the seventh to close out the scoring.
Despite giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks, Ashley Jackson (Vallejo, California, St. Patrick's-St. Vincent) (6-5) picked up the victory, while Jessica Palma (7-5) surrendered seven runs on nine hits and five walks in three innings en route to the loss.
The Gator bats were silenced through the first three innings of game two as GCU built an early 6-0 advantage. SF State finally dented the scoreboard in its half of the fourth as Alyssa Esquibel (San Jose, California, Archbishop Mitty) knocked in Cardenas with an RBI single.
The Gators then erupted for eight runs on seven hits in the fifth to take a 9-6 lead. McDonald led off the frame with a solo homer, while Gubbine, Chapman and Kelsey followed with singles to load the bases. Moments later, Cardenas drove in Gubbine and Chapman with a single up the middle, while Wood eventually scored after Amburgey and Esquibel both reached on consecutive errors. With the bases still loaded, Amburgey was forced at home on a McDonald grounder; however, Colleen Nilles (Simi Valley, California, Royal) kept the rally going with an RBI single to score Cardenas, while Esquibel came home after Chapman drew a walk in her second at-bat of the frame. Gubbine then delivered a two-run single, plating McDonald and Arianna Welch (Tracy, California, West), who pinch ran for Nilles.
The Antelopes responded with three runs in their half of the inning as Tracy Lubken singled home Kelli Bridges, while Tana Holtorf added two-run single of her own to tie the score at 9-9. GCU then pushed across the eventual winning run in the sixth as Nicole Lorenzi drew a two-out walk and, after a steal of second, scored on Kara Holtorf's single up the middle.
SF State threatened in the seventh as Esquibel and Chapman each singled; however, Palma, who replaced starter Sammi Tiefenthalerin the fifth, induced a pop-up to end the game.
Palma (8-5) pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory, allowing just two hits, while Vanessa Truan (San Jose, California, Leland) (3-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the sixth.
Gubbine and Chapman finished the twin-bill with five hits apiece to lead the Gator offense. Gubbine went 5-for-7 from the plate with two RBI, while Chapman was 5-8 with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored.
The two teams wrap up their weekend series on Saturday, March 21 with another doubleheader beginning at noon.
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
