LA JOLLA – The SF State softball team began California Collegiate Athletic Association play on Friday, taking on host UC San Diego for a double header at the Triton Softball Complex. The Gators (1-4/0-2 CCAA) fell in game one 4-1 and 5-3 in the nightcap.
"Today's games were two tough-luck losses," said head coach
Cristina Byrne. "I don't think the scores really reflect the outcome. We hit the ball hard, just couldn't find the holes, had base runners on most innings, and played good defense. They were just able to push across the runs and found the holes against our starters. Jenny (Obbema) and Aryn (Guzman) did a great job in relief in both games. We battled back after getting down, but it was just a little too late. I think our offense is coming around, we've had some clutch pinch hitting at bats, and I believe the runs will come if we keep swinging this way. Positive results will follow with continued defensive efforts that we are putting up. It's early but I feel good about where we are right now."
In game one
Megan Clark (0-2) took the ball for the Gators. She got through the first inning with three quick outs. In the second inning the Tritons (7-1/2-0 CCAA) scraped two runs across the board due to hard luck. UCSD led off the inning with a single to left field and a bunt for a base hit. With the bases eventually loaded Clark allowed two runs to score by way of a hit batter.
For the afternoon Clark threw 4.0 solid innings, scattering four hits, two runs, both earned with two walks and a strike out.
Jenny Obbema came into the game in relief of Clark and threw a perfect fifth before allowing two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
The two run cushion from the second inning is all UCSD starter Hannah Duarte (3-1) would need, she went 6.1 innings, allowing five hits, a run, with two walks and five strike outs.
The Gators scored a run in the top of the fourth when a
Tori Bellin hit a two out single to right that scored
Jennifer Lewis from third. Freshman
Sara Higa recorded her first collegiate hit in the top of the sixth, with a base hit back up the middle.
Aryn Guzman,
Chelsea Brent, and
Selina Rodriguez had the other hits for the Gators.
In the nightcap
Courtney Dunkel (1-1) took the ball for the Gators looking to repeat her performance from Wednesday. Unfortunately that did not happen as she lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing eight hits, five runs, all earned with a walk.
The Tritons scored a run in the first and four in the second to take an early 5-0 lead. For a while it looked as if that score would stand. Starter Alexis Edwards (2-0) threw four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
Relief pitcher Mo Omori threw frames in relief to earn her third save. In the top of the seventh she almost blew it. Rodriguez led off the inning with a one out base hit to short. The next batter was third baseman
Lucy Fernandez who connected on a 2-2 pitch and homered over the left field fence. After a Bellin walk, Higa singled moving over pinch runner
Madison Collins.
Courtney Gravel capped off the rally with an RBI single to left field. With the tying run in scoring position, Omori settled down to get
Chelsea Brent to fly out to end the rally.
The Gators look to even the series starting tomorrow when SF State and UC San Diego will concluded the series with a double header starting at 11 a.m.
Game 1 Box Score (HTML)Game 2 Box Score (HTML)--
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.
