CHICO, Calif. – Dominant pitching and timely hitting were on display Friday as the San Francisco State softball team swept a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader against Chico State, 8-0 and 2-0, at the CSUC Softball Field. With the shutouts, the Gators have now won 12 of their last 14 outings, improving to 26-19 on the season and 8-14 in the CCAA. Meanwhile, the Wildcats slip to 17-34 overall and 5-25 in conference action.
In the five-inning opener, Ashley Jackson (Vallejo, California, St. Patrick-St. Vincent) (14-7) won her fifth straight contest, giving up just two hits and one walk en route to her 12th complete game and sixth shutout of the season. Meanwhile, Jessica McDermott (8-18) took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk in three innings of duty.
The game was scoreless until the top of the third when Arianna Welch (Tracy, California, West) led off with a walk, while Kelly McDonald (Gilroy, California, Live Oak)reached shortly thereafter on a fielder's choice. Lindsey Chapman (La Habra, Calif., Sonora HS) then drove in Welch with a double to left, while Karolyn Gubbine followed with an RBI single to bring home McDonald.
SF State loaded the bases in the top fourth after consecutive singles by Kelsey Wood (San Jose, California, Lynbrook), Alyssa Esquibel (San Jose, California, Archbishop Mitty) and Lea Cardenas (Sanger, California, Sanger). Welch then stepped up to the plate and smacked a grand slam, her first round-tripper as a Gator, putting the visitors in control at 6-0.
Cardenas also got into the act in the fifth with her team-leading eighth homer of the season, driving in pinch-runner Lauren Candia (San Francisco, California, University of San Francisco), who entered after Kelsey Wood led off with a single. Jackson then set the Wildcats down in order in the bottom of the frame to seal the win.
Chapman went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Cardenas (two runs) and Kelsey Wood had two hits each.
SF State wasted no time in the nightcap, scoring all the runs it would need in the top of the first when Esquibel drove in Chapman and Kelsey Wood with a two-out single to left.
Gator starter .jpg" />
Chico State put two runners aboard in the bottom of the seventh after Sam Quadt singled and Charlotte Honciano was hit by a pitch. However, game-one winner Jackson came on in relief, striking out the next two batters and inducing a groundout en route to her first save of the year.
The two teams will close out their four-game series with another doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at noon in Chico.
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
