SAN FRANCSICO – The SF State softball team's pitching rotation looks to be in midseason form. The Gators saw two excellent pitching performances from their starting pitchers as the Gators earned a split on opening day, falling to Academy of Art 3-2 in the first game before shutting out Holy Names 3-0 in the nightcap.
SF State (1-1) starter's
Megan Clark (0-1) and
Courtney Dunkel (1-0) threw a combined 12.2 innings, scattering three earned runs, 13 hits, with one walk and five strike outs.
In the season opener at 9:00 a.m. at the SF State Softball Field, it was Clark who took the hard luck loss, after the Urban Knights (2-2) earned the 3-2 win. Clark was cruising to begin the game, stranding runners before giving up a solo home run in the top of the fourth.
She lasted another inning and a third before getting lifted in the top of the sixth after giving up a two-run home run to the Urban Knights' Samantha Klune. Both home runs that Clark surrendered were greatly aided by a stiff wind blowing out to right center field were the home runs carried. For the day she threw 5.1 innings, surrendering nine hits, three earned runs, with a strike out.
Aryn Guzman came in and closed the door on Academy of Art throwing 1.2 of scoreless relief work.
The Gators got on the board first when
Jennifer Lewis smashed a double to left center. She eventually came around to score on the fielder's choice from catcher
Tori Bellin.
Urban Knights' starter Alexa Peters did her part, she limited the Gators to five hits and two runs in seven innings. To earn her first win of the season.
In the night cap against Holy Names (0-1) the afternoon belonged to Dunkel. The sophomore needed just 105 pitches to throw her first career complete game shutout. She went 7.0 innings, scattering four hits, with no runs, a walk and four strike outs.
Her lone stressful inning game in the top of the seventh. Entering with a three run cushion, Dunkel needed to avoid a one-out bases loaded jam. After a quick mound visit, she settled down and got a strike out and a lazy fly ball to center field to end the game.
The Gators scored two runs in the bottom of the first to give Dunkel all the run support she would need. After
Courtney Gravel reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, Lewis drew a four pitch walk. Both runners scored in the one out double by
Lucy Fernandez who crushed a ball to right center.
Taking the loss for Holy Names was starter Vanessa Pulido (0-1) who threw five complete, allowing seven hits, three runs, two earned, with three walks and a strike out.
The Gators return to action on Friday when they begin a four-game CCAA series against UC San Diego starting at 1:00 p.m. at Triton softball field in La Jolla.
Box Score (Game 1 HTML)Box Score (Game 2 HTML) Post Game Video --
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
