Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Hayward, Calif. – The SF State softball team rallied for 12 runs in the final three innings, including five in the fifth to capture game two of Saturday's double header against Cal State East Bay to earn the split on the day. The Gators (5-6/1-3 CCAA) pounded out 12 runs on 11 hits in the night cap.
The Pioneers (3-3/3-1 CCAA) appeared to be on the verge of a four-game series sweep, leading SFSU 3-0 after a three run bottom of the third inning, however the Gator offense exploded for five runs in the fifth, four more in the sixth and three in the seventh to capture the win.
The big rally in the fifth all started with two outs,
Courtney Gravel got things going with a single to shortstop,
Jennifer Lewis followed with a single to center field,
Tori Bellin loaded the bases with a single.
Selina Rodriguez got the Gators on the board with an infield base hit that scored Gravel. A walk, an error, and a double down the left field line by
Aryn Guzman plated the final four runs. All told, the Gators scored five runs on five hits.
The Pioneers scored three more runs to retake the lead in the bottom half of the fifth to end the day for starter
Megan Clark. Clark went 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits, six run, all earned with two walks and two strike outs.
Her replacement,
Jenny Obbema (1-0) went the final 2.1 innings, scattering three hits, one run, with a walk to earn her first win of the season.
Taking the loss for Cal State East Bay was Olivia Argon (0-1), who was took the hard luck loss, giving up five runs with only one earned over 1.1 innings.
Seven Gators recorded a hit in the second game, with four recording multiple hit performances, Gravel led the squad going 2-for-4 and scored three runs. Lewis went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, Rodriguez and Guzman did the heavy lifting a both players were responsible for driving in three runs.
In game one the Gators jumped out front in the first inning when Gravel led off with the first of her two extra base hits in the game. This time it was a double to right center field. She moved over to third on the perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by
Jennifer Lewis, three pitches later Gravel scored on a wild pitch.
In the top of the third inning Gravel once again led off the inning with some loud contact, this time she connected for her first home run of the season, a solo blast to right center, it was her third career home run.
The Gators offense was responsible for three more run in the top of the fourth inning, unfortunately, they were not able to overcome the seven run bottom of the second that put the Pioneers out front for good.
A walk, an error and a hit batter loaded the bases with no outs to begin the rally for Cal State East Bay, a single, a double, and a two-run home run by Chelsie Kakela did most of the damage in the inning. Kakela's blast to center field was her second of the series, and the Pioneers fourth.
The seven runs on five hits ended the day for SF State's starter
Emily Gibson (2-3). Gibson lasted just 1.2 innings, she allowed five hits, seven runs, only one of them earned, with two walks.
Earning the win for Cal State East Bay was reliever Jordan Abel (1-0) who came in and threw three scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit, one while and recorded a strike out. Emily Perlich started the game for the Pioneers, she lasted just three innings and was roughed up for seven hits, five runs, all earned with three walks and two strike outs.
The Gators return to action next Friday, when they take on Cal State Dominguez Hills in a four game series. Game one of Friday's double header is slated for a 12:00 p.m. first pitch, with game two starting a half hour after game ones completion.
Complete Box Score Game 1
Complete Box Score Game 2
