Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TURLOCK --- After tying the nightcap in the top of the seventh inning, SF State surrendered the game-winning run in the bottom half of the inning to settle for a split at Cal State Stanislaus. The Gators (8-9, 4-8 CCAA) took the first game 2-1, but fell in the secon 7-6 to only grab half of the wins in the four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association series with the Warriors (9-11, 4-8 CCAA).

"We haven't been able to put together a full game where everything is running on all cylinders," said head coach Cristina Byrne. "This season has been a tale of LOB's for us. We've left 12 people on base in three different games and lost two of those games by narrow margins. We need to get timely hits and be a better run-producing team."

Lucy Fernandez knocked her first two home runs of the season to go 3-for-7 at the plate with two runs and three RBIs. Kylie Grabowski finished the doubleheader with a pair of hits in each game to go 4-for-7 with one run and an RBI. Jennifer Lewis and Cara Spence also posted hits in each game, each scoring one run and batting in another.

Ashley Huff opened game one with a single straight up the middle and was joined on base by Grabowski off a similar single up the center. The two, however, were left stranded as the Warriors grabbed three putouts to end the inning and prevent SF State from getting on the board first.

Cal State Stanislaus scored the first run of the game in the bottom half of the inning and held the 1-0 lead until the top of the sixth. Leading off the inning for the Gators, Fernandez blasted her first homer of the season over the fence at left field to tie the game at 1-1. Spence took a pitch to the body to reach first and was joined by Kelsey Murakami, who also had a free pass to first base with ball four. Chelsea Brent loaded the bases with a walk of her own and Courtney Gravel sent Spence in at third for the go-ahead run on the two-out rally. 

The Gators held onto the 2-1 victory to also take a 2-1 lead in the four-game series heading into the nightcap.

After taking SF State down in order to start game two, CSU Stanislaus scored two runs off two hits to take an early 2-0 lead. The lead didn't last long, however, as the Gators responded in their next chance at the plate.

Grabowski started the inning with a walk to first base and Fernandez drilled her second homer, again to left field, to tie the game at 2-2. Two outs later with runners on first and secons, Huff walked to load the bases, putting the go-ahead run within reach at third. A Warrior fielding error surrendered the run and Lewis singled through the left side to add an insurance run to put the Gators up 4-2.

Cal State Stanislaus brought the game within one in the bottom of the third, scoring one run off two hits and a Gator error, but couldn't quite find the go-ahead run.

In the top of the fifth, Lewis opened the inning with a walk to first and Grabowski followed with a single to left field. Gabby Reta took over the running for Grabowski and advanced a base with Lewis off an illegal pitch from the CSUS pitcher. Spence sent a sacrifice fly to center field, but Lewis tagged third to cross home plate and give SF State a 5-3 lead.

The Warriors took control of the game in the bottom of the fifth, plating three runs on four hits. With one out and bases loaded, Jenny Obbema fielded a grounder in the circle and tossed it to Grabowski behind the plate to prevent the Warriors from grabbing another run. Grabowski hurled the ball over to Spence at first to complete the double play and end the inning.

Trailing 6-5, the Gators found the tying run in their last chance on offense. Brittany Barcellos singled up the middle as the lead-off hitter and Lewis' sacrifice bunt advanced Barcellos to second. Grabowski sent a single deep to right center, allowing Barcellos to go in for the tie at 6-6. SF State couldn't find the go-ahead run, however, heading back out on defense, hoping to hold off the Warriors.

"In the circle this weekend, we gave away too many freebies," said Byrne. "We gave them opportunities and they made the most of them by capitalizing and beating us twice in the seventh inning."

Despite SF State grabbing two putouts, Cal State Stanislaus' Lauren Liming sprinted from second to home off a single from Cierrah Mullins to score the game-winning run, giving the Warriors the 7-6 victory.

"We've been saying all along that no one can beat us but ourselves and we still stand by that belief," said Byrne. "We need to be able to put together a whole game consistently and we can do great things!"

SF State returns home for its home opener on Friday, facing Cal State Dominguez Hills at 12 p.m. at the SF State Softball Field. The Gators and Toros, who earlier this season fought to a 6-4 Gator victory, will conclude the four-game series on Saturday with the doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.

"We will get back to the practice field this week and prepare to finally play at home after five weeks on the road," said Byrne. "We'll work hard this week at practice and I feel that getting to play on our turf will get us back on track."