TURLOCK, Calif. – Starting pitcher Ashley Jackson tossed her second shutout of the season and shortstop Summer Powell drove in two runs as the San Francisco State softball team posted a 4-0 triumph over Hawai'i-Hilo in its opening game of pool play at the Tournament of Champions, presented by Mizuno, in Turlock, Calif. The Gators (10-21) kept the momentum rolling with an 8-4 triumph over Central Washington in game two. The Gators had their brief two-game snapped by the Notre Dame de Namur Argonauts (15-15), losing 2-0 in their final game of the day.

SF STATE 4, HAWAI'I-HILO 0

Jackson (5-11) struck out eight batters and scattered four hits and three walks for her 12th complete game of the 2011 campaign, while her counterpart in the circle Amber Waracka (8-4) went the distance as well, surrendering all four runs on seven hits and four walks to absorb the defeat.

SF State grabbed a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second when first baseman Cara Spence singled home pinch-runner Lauren Maslak, who stole second after entering the game on catcher Kelsey Wood's lead-off base hit.

The Gators added two markers in the third when Wood roped a single to center, plating left fielder Heather Jensen, while Powell drew a bases-loaded walk shortly thereafter to score third baseman Lea Cardenas.

The Purple and Gold then tacked on a run in the fifth when Powell laced a single up the middle to bring home designated player Kendra Wood, who previously motored all the way to second on a fielder's choice after pinch runner Kelly McDonald was tagged out in a run-down between second and third.

UHH was unable to scrape together a rally as Jackson retired the next six batters in succession to seal the win.

Box Score of Hilo Game

SF STATE 8, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 4

Alyssa Esquibel drilled a two-run homer and Lea Cardenas followed with a solo shot to break a 2-2 tie in the top of the fifth inning as the Gators notched an 8-4 victory over Central Washington in their second game of this weekend's tournament at Pedretti Park.

SF State banged out 10 hits for the game, including two apiece by Esquibel (three RBI), Cardenas (two runs) and Kelsey Wood.

Marisa Ibarra (2-6) pitched a complete game to pick up the win in her second straight start, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and six walks to go along with six strikeouts.

The Wildcats took advantage of a Gator error in the bottom of the second to forge a 2-0 advantage, before the Purple and Gold erupted with eight runs over the final four frames to complete the comeback victory.

SF State began its rally with one out in the top of the fourth when Kelsey Wood and Kendra Wood delivered consecutive RBI singles to knot the score at 2-2.

The Gators then played long ball in the fifth to take the lead for good at 5-2, courtesy of Esquibel and Cardenas. Heather Jensen led off with a base hit to center and advanced on a sacrifice bunt, while Esquibel followed with her second round-tripper of the season off CWU reliever Lindy Baxter. The Wildcats made another pitching change at this juncture as Cardenas belted an 0-2 offering from Lauren Hadenfield over the left field fence for her third homer in six days.

CWU narrowed the gap to 5-3 in the bottom of the inning when Bre Thomas, who reached on a single and moved over to second, touched home on Samantha Petrich's RBI single.

However, SF State responded with a pair of markers in the sixth to extend its lead to 7-3. Two Wildcat miscues allowed Cara Spence and Rachael Kroneder to reach, while Jensen drew a base on balls. With the bases loaded, CWU catcher Elena Carter muffed a throw home after a Gator pop out, which brought Kylie Herrada, who pinch ran for Spence, in from third, while Esquibel followed with a single up the middle to plate Kroneder.

The Wildcats trimmed the deficit to 7-4 on Carrina Wagner's run-scoring in the bottom of the frame, but SF State countered with a run in the seventh to round out the scoring. With one out, Summer Powell smacked her sixth double of the year and promptly touched home on Spence's roller up the middle.

CWU put two runners aboard in the bottom of the seventh, but Ibarra, who survived a wild pitch, got a strikeout and induced a pop out to nail down the victory.

Box Score of Central Washington Game

NOTRE DAME de NAMUR 2, SF STATE 0

Sammy McConvey (6-7) pitched a three-hit complete game shutout for the Argonauts while striking out three Gators and walking no one.

The game remained scoreless until the Argonaut sixth when Allison Castro opened the inning with a lead-off single. She advanced to second when Robin Araujo reached on an error by the Gators. They both advanced a base when the Argonauts' next batter, Megan Craviotto sacrificed them over with one out. Mary Ortega, who had two hits, then hit a two-run single up the middle to drive in both Castro and Araujo.

The Gators had one more chance in the top of the seventh. With one out, Esquibel single and was pinch ran for but that runner was thrown out at second caught stealing. McConvey then induced the final Gator to ground out to end the game.

Three different Gators had one hit apiece in Jensen, Esquibel, and Kelly McDonald.

Jordan Stanaland (3-3) picked up the loss for the Gators, pitching 6 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) and five hits while striking out three and walking two.

SF State will finish out pool play tomorrow at the Tournament of Champions, presented by Mizuno, in Turlock. The Gators will face Dixie State at 2pm and No. 6 Western Washington at 6pm at Pedretti Park.

Box Score of NDNU Game
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