Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 San Francisco, Calif. – The SF State softball team earned a split with visiting Cal State Stanislaus during Saturday's CCAA double header.  The Gators (6-11/2-8 CCAA) took game one, 7-2, on the strength of Emily Gibson's gem and strong support from the offense.  The Warriors (8-11/4-6 CCAA) responded with a strong pitching performance of their own to take game two, 5-0.

"It was nice to get back home and swing it," said head coach Cristina Byrne.  "We've been swinging hot bats and hitting balls hard as a team, but it just seemed to always be at someone.  It finally fell in this game, we strung a lot together.  The entire lineup came through.  It was nice to see our offense be successful hitting the ball hard on a line."

In game one sophomore Emily Gibson (3-4) had to contend not only with the Warriors bats but the slight rain that was constant through most of her start.  After getting two quick outs to begin the game Gibson hit CSUS's Deenah San Luis on a 1-2 pitch, from then on Gibson was in total control in the circle.

"Emily came out and owned it," added Byrne.  "She did a great job.  Her pitches were working, she was changing speeds a lot, changing planes a lot and kept them off balance.  That's a good hitting team, they've come out and run-ruled a few teams in our conference already.  For Emily to go out there and set the tone for the weekend, especially under these conditions and we kind of fed off of her."

The Warriors were held in check to two runs and six hits, while Gibson went the distance, striking out three on the day.  She did not give up a hit until the top of the third inning. 
Offensively, the Gators bats came out on fire, collecting a season-high 12 hits.  Eight of the nine starters collected at least one hit with the middle of the order doing most of the damage as Jennifer Lewis, Torrey Rook, Lucy Fernandez, and Kelsey Murakami all combined for eight hits.

In the bottom of the second Murakami started the rally with a one out single to left field, she came around to score on the double to left center by catcher Kyle Grabowski.  Grabowski finished the day going 1-for-2 with a run scored and two runs driven in.  She scored from third on an RBI base hit by Gravel into right field.

SF State tallied three more runs in the bottom of the third when the Gators led off the inning with four-straight singles, Murakami, Grabowski and Andrade tallied the three RBI's off a single, sacrifice fly and a single through the right side.

In the bottom of the fourth inning SFSU struck again for two more.  SF State loaded the bases after walks to Gabby Reta and Lewis, Rook singled through the left side.  Fernandez singled to center field scoring both Reta and Lewis.

Taking the loss for the Warriors in game one was starter Jessica Varaday (4-6) who went the distance allowing 12 hits, seven runs all earned with three walks and a strike out.
In game two of Saturday's twin billing the Gators offense went quiet.  Cal State Stanislaus' starter Natalie Rendon (4-4) threw a five hit, complete game shutout, defeating Gators starter Megan Clark (2-4).

Clark went 4.2 innings, allowing eight hits, five runs, all earned with no walks and two strike outs.  Clark was cruising to start before running into trouble in the top of the fifth.  After getting two outs, Clark had runners at second and third but could not get out of the jam as she had in the first and second innings. 

The Warriors' Kristan Burns doubled deep centerfield scoring a pair of runs, then CSUS catcher Amy Droege followed up with an RBI single that ended the day for Clark.
Jenny Obbema finished the game for the Gators, going 2.1 innings of solid relief, scattering two hits and tallying a strike out.

Courtney Gravel went 2-for-3 in the second game, Reta, Fernandez and Murakami had the other hits.

The Gators and Warriors will conclude this four game series tomorrow.  Game one of the double header has been moved an hour earlier and is now scheduled for an 11 a.m. first pitch, with game two to follow a half hour after the first games completion. 

Complete Box Score Game 1

Complete Box Score Game 2