Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Brisbane, Calif. – The SF State softball team earned a split during Wednesday's double header against the Academy of Art at Mission Blue Field.  SF State (4-3) took game one 1-0 but fell to the Urban Knights (1-3) on a 3-2 in the nightcap.

In game one the Gators got out front early when junior shortstop Courtney Gravel led off the game with a single to right field.  She moved to second on a wild pitch and eventually came around to score on the two-out base hit by Torrey Rook. 

The lone run was all starter Emily Gibson (2-1) needed as she went the distance, throwing a complete game shutout, allowing just five hits with no walks and six strike outs.  Academy of Art led off the game with back to back base hits but was stymied to just three hits over the final six innings.

Taking the loss for the Urban Knights was Carlee Emerson (0-2) who went the distance, throwing seven complete, allowing just four hits, with a walk and a strike out.

"Game one, coming out scoring first is a big thing we've been working on, just kind of jumping on them early," said head coach Cristina Bryne.  "Luckily that's all (Emily) Gibson needed, she was lights out on the mound, mixing speeds, and she was great keeping them off balance.  In the little bit of trouble we got in our defense was solid." 

In game two, the Gators had their chance going into the top of the seventh.  Gabby Reta kept the Gators hopes alive with a two out double to right center field.  Tori Bellin followed with a base hit to shallow center, the Urban Knights' center fielder Elyse Cordova came up throwing and nailed Reta at home on a bang-bang play.

To open the game the two sides traded zeroes for the first two innings before the Urban Knights scored three runs in the bottom of the third.  Back-to-back bunt singles by Academy of Art got the rally started, as they eventually plated three runs on an RBI double and a single.

SF State responded scoring a pair of runs in the top of the fourth.  Rook led off with a single to the shortstop and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Hanna Miller singled to right field putting runners at the corners with no outs.   A double by Jennifer Lewis scored both Rook and Miller.  Unfortunately, that is all the Gators could score as Academy of Arts' starter Jill Johnson (1-1) got out of the threat by inducing a ground ball to second and a strike out.

Taking the loss for SF State in game two was freshman Megan Clark (2-1).  Clark went 6.0 complete, allowing six hits, three runs, all earned with no walks and six strike outs.

"I thought Megan (Clark) threw well," said Bryne.  "One inning where we just didn't make the small plays, the bunt coverage failed us a little bit and they capitalized on it.  At the same time they were able to make some great plays on defense, I thought we actually hit the ball pretty hard, put a good stick on it but we just couldn't get anything to fall.  Their centerfielder lays out and catches a ball with a runner on second and two outs and then makes a throw at the plate to end the game.  Overall, I think a good day after having a week off."

SF State returns to action on Friday, taking on Cal State East Bay to begin CCAA action.  First pitch of game one of the double-header is slated for 12:00 p.m. with game two scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch.

Complete Box Score Game 1
Complete Box Score Game 2