CARSON, Calif. – The visiting San Francisco State softball team saw its 2010 season come to an end on Saturday as Cal State Dominguez claimed a sweep of a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader for the second straight day at Toro Diamond.
The Gators (20-33, 13-23 CCAA) dropped a 4-1 decision in the opener before the Toros (31-19, 23-13) posted a dramatic 8-5 victory in game two, courtesy of Jessica Hall's three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning.
Hall's shot made a winner of Stephanie Jimenez (18-9) for the second time on Saturday after she pitched the final seven innings in relief of Lauren Harper. Jimenez gave up four runs on six hits and three walks, while Vanessa Truan (San Jose, Calif., Leland HS) (2-7) absorbed the loss after allowing eight runs on 13 hits and six walks in 9 2/3 innings of work in her final start at SF State.
Alyssa Esquibel (San Jose, Calif., Archbishop Mitty HS) went 3-for-3 at the plate in the nightcap, while Lea Cardenas (Sanger, Calif., Sanger HS) (3 RBI), Kendra Wood (San Jose, Calif., Lynbrook HS) (2 RBI) and Kelsey Wood (San Jose, Calif., Lynbrook) had two hits each to pace the Gators.
After the two teams traded runs in the second inning, SF State went ahead 3-1 in the top of the fourth when Cardenas blasted her sixth homer of the year, knocking in Esquibel, who drew a two-out walk in the previous at-bat.
However, CSUDH tied the game once again in the bottom of the frame as Emiley McEwen swatted a two-run homer over the fence in left field with two outs as well.
The Toros went ahead 5-3 in the fifth on four consecutive one-out singles as Katie Jordan's two-run base hit up the middle plated Hall and Michelle Miranda.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, the Gators sent the contest into extra innings when Kendra Wood singled to center, driving in Heather Jensen (Sacramento, Calif., Del Campo HS) and Karolyn Gubbine (Richmond, Calif., Pinole Valley HS). Jensen doubled with one out and Gubbine drew a base on balls, advancing on Kelly McDonald's (Gilroy, Calif., Live Oak HS) sacrifice bunt.
Esquibel singled with two outs in the top of the eighth; however, SF State was unable to capitalize.
Then in the bottom of the 10th, the Toros put two runners aboard as McEwen walked, while Jackie Reyes reached on a fielder's choice, which set the stage for Hall's heroics.
Earlier in game one, the Gators drew first blood in the top of the third when Kendra Wood singled in Gubbine, who led off with a base hit to left and later stole second.
However, CSUDH took advantage of a pair of SF State miscues in the bottom of the frame, scoring three unearned runs to forge a 3-1 advantage they would not relinquish. After a McEwen single and a walk to Angel, the Gators bobbled Rose Vargas' grounder, which allowed McEwen to score as Angel and Vargas each moved up one base. Moments later, a throwing error on Reyes' grounder plated Angel and Vargas.
The Toros then added a run in the fifth to complete the scoring. Angel drew a lead-off walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Daisy Beltran, who stole second on a strikeout. After Reyes reached on an infield hit, CSUDH pulled off a double steal, with Beltran coming home from third on another SF State throwing error.
Jimenez gave up just one hit and one walk in 4 2/3 innings after relieving starter Lauren Harper in the top of the third to pick up the win. Conversely, Ashley Jackson (Vallejo, Calif., St. Patrick-St. Vincent HS) (11-13) struck out five batters, but was saddled with the hard-luck loss after allowing four unearned runs on four hits and four walks in five innings before giving way to Marisa Ibarra (Hollister, Calif., San Benito HS) to start the sixth.
In addition to Truan, Saturday's twin-bill marked the final appearance in an SF State uniform for Gubbine, Jessica Delgado (Monterey, Calif., Cal St. Monterey Bay) and Carolyn Knudson (Napa, Calif., Napa Valley College).
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
