TURLOCK, Calif. – Kelsey Wood belted a grand slam to highlight a seven-run fifth inning as San Francisco State stormed to a 10-6 triumph over host Cal State Stanislaus in the second game of a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader Friday at Warrior Softball Field. With the victory, the Gators finished off the sweep after capturing a 9-2 comeback win in game one.
SF State (18-33, 11-23 CCAA) grabbed an early 1-0 advantage in the nightcap's second innning as
Kelsey Wood touched home on Powell's RBI single, before CSUS (19-30, 12-22 CCAA) tied the score in the bottom of the frame on Brittney Rickles' sacrifice fly.
After the Warriors tallied single markers in the third and fourth, SF State broke open the game with seven runs on eight hits in the fifth, keyed by
Kelsey Wood's big blast. The Gators loaded the bases on singles by
Heather Jensen, Esquibel and Cardenas, while Wood promptly stepped to the plate and launched a 2-1 pitch over the left-field fence for her fifth homer of the season.
The Purple and Gold was not finished; however, as
Kendra Wood and Powell hit back-to-back singles, while
Rachael Kroneder walked to reload the bases. Moments later,
Jenna Robertson reached on a fielder's choice as Wood and Powell raced home on a throwing error to second base, with Kroneder taking third. Jensen then roped a single down the left-field line to give the visitors a 10-3 cushion.
CSUS scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh as Nicole Jenkins and Brittany Balanesi each drew bases-loaded walks, while Sarah Locarnini followed with a sacrifice fly. However, the deficit proved too much to overcome as
Kendra Wood received a line-out to end the game.
Wood allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings, exiting with one out in the sixth, before re-entering for
Jordan Stanaland to face two batters in the seventh. Meanwhile, Warrior starter Kristin Burns (9-9) was tagged with the loss after giving up all 10 runs (six earned) on 14 hits and a walk, before yielding to Alyssa Coehlo to start the sixth.
In addition to
Kelsey Wood's timely heroics, Jensen went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Herrada, Esquibel, Cardenas, Powell and
Kendra Wood finished with two hits apiece in the victory.
SF State worked some late magic in game one, scoring eight runs over the final two innings to win going away.
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth, Powell smacked a two-run homer to left on the first pitch she saw, knocking in pinch-runner
Kelly McDonald, who entered on
Kelsey Wood's single, to put the visitors ahead to stay. Shortly thereafter, the Gators loaded the bases on singles by
Cara Spence and Jensen, sandwiched around a walk to Robertson. Herrada then reached on a fielding error as pinch-runner
Kelsey Murakami crossed the plate, while Cardenas followed with a two-run single to provide the Purple and Gold a 6-2 advantage.
SF State gave itself some additional breathing room with three runs in the seventh as Herrada's single up the middle plated Powell and Robertson, while Jensen, who previously walked, closed out the scoring after touching home on a CSUS infield error.
The Gators tallied their first run in the second when Robertson singled in
Kendra Wood, before the host school broke the 1-1 deadlock on Rickles' sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Jackson went the distance for her 18th complete game of the year, giving up two runs (one earned) on just one hit and three walks, while Brittani Weatherford (9-17) absorbed the loss after ceding five runs on 11 hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.
Powell (three hits, two runs), Herrada and Cardenas finished with two RBI apiece, while Robertson went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs to pace the Purple and Gold.
SF State will remain in Turlock on Saturday for another twin bill at 12 noon to wrap up its 2011 campaign.
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
