Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SAN FRANCISCO --- With just one doubleheader left in the season, SF State tried to leave everything on the field as it concluded the 2013 campaign. The Gators exploded in the first game to grab a 7-0 win, scoring all their runs on two-out rallies, but fell short of a come back attempt in the nightcap, dropping the game 5-3 to Cal State East Bay. With the split, the Gators finish the season with a 22-30 overall record, 14-22 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Pioneers end their season with a 17-35 overall record, 11-25 in conference.

"It was a good day," said head coach Cristina Byrne. "Splitting the series was not how we wanted to end it--I think we should have won the series--but I'm extremely happy with the way we came out and played that first game."

Seniors Marisa Ibarra and Sarah Catania came up big for the Gators in the doubleheader. Ibarra struck out six batters to bring her season tally to 112 and knocked her first collegiate home run to help lift SF State 7-0 in the opener. Catania finished the day with a 5-for-6 effort at the plate, ripping two doubles in the process, and scored two runs along with two RBIs. Ashley Huff, Courtney Gravel, Kelsey Murakami and Chelsea Brent each posted multiple hits on the day for the Gators.

With two outs, Murakami sparked the opener in the bottom of the second, sending her hit deep to left field for a double. Ibarra stepped up to the plate and blasted the ball in a similar spot, sending it over the fence for a two-run homer and give SF State a 2-0 lead.

"Marisa really set the tone by hitting her first collegiate home run," said Byrne. "Not only at the plate, though, in the circle as well. I think that's what we'll miss the most is her pressence and what she brings to the circle, along with how we play defense behind her. She goes out every day and gives her best. She had a chance to be at the plate and give it and she was able to help us out offensively."

The Gators tacked on another run in the fourth to go up 3-0 on the Pioneers. Cara Spence led off the inning with a double to left field and moved into scoring position at third as Cal State East Bay grabbed the first out. Another out later, Catania found the hole between second and the CSUEB second baseman, allowing Spence to score. Catania stole second in the next play, but couldn't make her way home as the Pioneers got out of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Catania started another two-out rally with a hard-hit ball to second and beat the throw to reach first safely. Brittany Barcellos joined her on base with a basehit through the right side and Huff took a free walk to first to load up the bases. Gabby Reta hit a blooper into shallow left field, dropping in between the shortstop and outfielders to score two runners. As the Pioneers threw the ball into the catcher to hold Huff at third, Reta advanced to second. With two outs still on the board, Gravel hit a hard shot to right center, sending in the two runners on base to put the score at 7-0, but CSUEB found the third out before SF State could score another and end the game early.

The Gators took down the Pioneers in order in the next half inning, securing the 7-0 victory, with Ibarra striking out the final batter.

Building off momentum from the first game, SF State capitalized first in the nightcap, scoring one run in the second inning. Brent picked up her first collegiate hit with a single up the middle, once again on two outs. Catania send her hit deep to left center, bouncing it off the fence, for a stand-up RBI double as Brent sprinted three bases to score.

Trailing 1-0, Cal State East Bay responded in the top of the third, plating two runs off three hits. The Pioneers then added an insurance run in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead.

The lead didn't last long, however, as the Gators answered in the bottom half of the inning. Back at the plate, Brent doubled deep to center field, knocking the ball off the fence, and was joined on base by Catania with a basehit to center. Chaos errupted in the next play as Barcellos laid down a bunt for a suicide squeeze. The Pioneers tried to get Brent out at the plate, but Brent avoided the tag as she slid into home. 

Meanwhile, as Catania was making her way to third, Barcellos took off for second. CSUEB's Lauren Vestal hurled the ball to second, but Barcellos slid into the base safely and Catania took the opportunity to try to score the tying run. As the ball came back into Vestal at home, Catania avoided the tag to tie the game at 3-3. Vestal threw the ball to third, trying to get Barcellos out in the process, but the Pioneer shortstop dropped the ball to allow Barcellos safety. The Pioneers cleaned up on defense, preventing Barcellos from scoring the go-ahead, and found the third out to end the inning tied 3-3.

Cal State East Bay took the lead back in the top of the sixth, scoring one run off three hits before the Gators could finish the inning. Back at the plate, Murakami looked to start another two-out rally with a single through the right side but SF State couldn't send her back home for the score.

Back on defense, the Gators surrendered another run in the top of the seventh to trail 5-3 heading into their last chance at bat. Needing to score two runs to keep the game alive, Catania led off the inning with a double to right center, once again bouncing it off the fence. Cal State East Bay's Taryn Thomas made a crucial play on defense, snagging a pop-up and catching Catania off the bag for a double play. The Pioneers found the final putout to end the game with the 5-3 win, forcing the Gators to finish the 2013 season with a series split.

"I think it was a good, strong year," said Byrne. "I think we could've had a few more series wins, but overall we've progressed. We're young and we'll come back again next year stronger. I think the strength of the seniors was great, as far as leadership for the younger girls, and set the table for next year and we'll be ready to go."