Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Jamie Leffingwell hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the host Cal State San Bernardino softball team to a 8-7 victory over San Francisco State in the second game of a California Collegiate Athletic Association twin-bill Saturday at Coyote Park.  Leffingwell's walk-off blast enabled the Coyotes to complete the sweep after posting an 11-1 triumph in five innings in the opener.
 
The Gators (4-9, 2-6 CCAA) rallied from an early 5-1 deficit in the nightcap, eventually tying the contest in the top of the sixth when Sarah Catania scored on Jenna Wermes' RBI single, while Courtney Gravel touched home shortly thereafter on Brittany Barcellos' grounder.
 
However, the Coyotes (7-6, 3-1 CCAA) reclaimed the lead at 6-5 in the bottom of the frame when Britney Butler laced a two-out triple to plate Charlotte Galzote, who got aboard on a lead-off single.
 
It was then SF State's turn to answer in the top of the seventh as Wermes came up with a big hit once again, driving in Kelsey Murakami and Catania with a two-out single to right field, which put the visitors in front, 7-6. 
 
The stage was then set for a dramatic conclusion in the home half of the inning as Felicia Cervantes hit a one-out single and was replaced by pinch-runner Patti Masner.  Leffingwell then stepped up to the plate and launched her first homer of the season over the fence in left field.
 
Despite giving up two runs on three hits and one walk in the final two innings, CSUSB reliever Carly Land (3-3) earned her second victory of the day after taking over for starter Courtney Wilhelms.  On the flip side, Gator reliever Becky Nakano (0-2) took the loss after surrendering Leffingwell's game-ending heroics.  Jordan Stanaland started in the circle for SF State and allowed five runs (three earned) on 11 hits and two walks, before giving way to Ali Garcia with one out in the fifth.
 
The two teams combined for 26 hits in the contest, including 16 by the Coyotes, who were led by Cervantes' 4-for-4 performance, while Wermes went 3-for-3 with four RBI for the Purple and Gold.
 
CSUSB jumped out to a 2-1 lead in game one, before exploding for nine runs in the bottom of the fourth to break the contest wide open.  The Coyotes sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning and took advantage of two Gator errors, while Butler supplied the big hit with a three-run homer.
 
Alex Mitchell also went deep for the host school with a solo shot to lead off the first, before driving in another with a bases-loaded walk in the second.
 
The Gators tallied their lone run in the top of the fourth when Murakami walked; advanced to third on Summer Powell's double, and later scored on a wild pitch.
 
After CSUSB's nine-run outburst, Land pitched a scoreless fifth to nail down the run-rule victory for her second complete game of the season.  Conversely, Marisa Ibarra (2-2) took the loss for SF State after allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks in three-plus innings of work.
 
The Coyotes had four players finish with two hits apiece, including Mitchell, who also scored two runs and added three RBI, while Barcellos and Heather Jensen singled twice to lead the Gators.
 
SF State returns to the diamond for its home opening series, Feb. 24-25, when it tackles defending NCAA Division II champion UC San Diego at SFSU Softball Field.  Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to get underway at noon, while Saturday's twin-bill is set for an 11 a.m. start.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score