CHICO – The SF State softball team got major contributions from the entire pitching staff and junior second baseman Marisa Andrade was a terror to the Wildcats all afternoon as the Gators took both games of Saturday's double header, winning game one 3-2 before rallying to take the second half of the twin billing 5-2.

"It was a good split for us this weekend on the road," said head coach Cristina Byrne.  "Every aspect of our game was firing today.  Pitchers came out and pitched by committee to keep the Chico State hitters off balance and we were able to pitch our way out of the few jams we got in.  It was a collective effort by the pitchers and they did a great job today.  Defense made all the plays they needed to make and stayed solid in tight situations and the offense just came out and swung the bats today.  The past few weeks we had been hitting the ball hard but could not get anything to fall and today finally we found gaps and really were aggressive early in counts and drove the ball of those good pitchers.  Missy was absolutely dialed in, lights out and at b at after at bat, no matter where or what they threw her she drove the ball.  It was definitely a total team effort to get both wins today and felt good to see every aspect play well and see how successful we can be when we do things together." 

The Gators (3-13/2-10 CCAA) pounded out 19 hits over the two games, hitting seven in game one and a season-high 12 hits in game two.  Four of those hits belonged to Andrade who finished the day going 4-for-6 with three doubles and six RBI.  She wraps up this amazing weekend going 8-for-12 with seven doubles a run scored and six RBI. 

Meanwhile, all four Gator pitchers threw crucial innings on Saturday and combined to allow just four earned runs over 14 innings. 

In game one Wildcats drew first blood, scoring in the bottom of the first.  Ashley Huff led off with a single to right field and then got herself into scoring position by stealing second base, a sacrifice bunt moved her to third where she scored on the ground out to short. 

The Gators immediately responded, Chelsea Brent started the rally by crushing a ball to the right center for a one-out double.  She moved to third on a ground ball to the pitcher by Aryn Guzman, that brought Andrade to the plate, the Gators red-hot second baseman hit a ball to second and beat the throw for an RBI single and tied the game at one.

In the top of the fourth Andrade struck again.  Tori Bellin led off the inning with a single up the middle.  Celeste Adriano pinch ran for the Gators catcher and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Brent who reached safely on the error by the pitcher.  Both runners moved up 60 feet on the second successful sacrifice bunt of the inning, this time by Guzman who brought up Andrade.  Both runners scored on the fifth double of the series by Andrade, a shot down the right field line.

In the bottom of the fourth inning starter Megan Clark turned the ball over to the first of three relief pitchers on the day.  Courtney Dunkel took over and pitched the fourth and the fifth inning.  In the bottom of the fourth Dunkel surrendered a run after back-to-back one out doubles.  She quickly shut the door on that rally and got the Gators back into the dugout with the one run lead. 

That is where the game would stay, as Dunkel pitched a clean fifth, she turned the ball over to Jenny Obbema (1-2) who pitched around a leadoff walk, stranding a runner at third.  Guzman came into the game in the game in the bottom of the seventh and pitched around a two-out error at first to end the game.

Taking the loss, and spoiling her perfect record, was starter Brooke Langeloh (6-1).  Langelow lasted just 4.2 innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, with a walk and a strike out.

In the nightcap the Gators scored first.  Chico State (8-4/5-3 CCAA) starter Haley Gilham (1-3) ran into trouble early.  The Gators offense tallied four-straight hits to start the game.  Lyndsi Garcia was thrown out at home by the right fielder trying to score on the single by Courtney Gravel.  SF State got their lone run of the inning on a two-out bases loaded walk by Bellin.

The Wildcats responded by scoring a run in the second and a run in the third, both coming on solo home runs.  That was all the damage the Wildcats could muster against starter Jenny Obbema, who threw 2.2 effective innings, scattering three hits and two earned runs.

Guzman came into the game in the bottom of the third and got the final out, she went on to throw a scoreless fourth inning, where the ball was turned over to Dunkel.  Dunkel (2-2) was near flawless over two innings, pitching around a two out walk in the sixth. 

The Gators offense gave Dunkel the lead heading into the sixth by way of a bases clearing one out double by Andrade, to give SF State a 4-2 lead.  The Gators added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Selina Rodriguez tripled to right center to start the rally, she scored on the next batter when Gravel doubled to left center. 

Rodriguez finished the nightcap going 3-for-4, Gravel went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.  Lewis also had multiple hits, going 2-for-4 in the second game.  Brent collected a pair of hits over the course of the double header.

The Gators will return to action Friday, March 6 when SF State begins a four-game series at home against the Toros of Cal State Dominguez Hills.  First pitch for game one is slated for 12:00 p.m.

Complete Box Score Game 1 (HTML)

Complete Box Score Game 2 (HTML)

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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.