OAKLAND– The SF State Gators pounded 11 hits and scored 8 runs this evening to take the three-game series finale with the Holy Names University Hawks 8-3 at Laney College's Field of Dreams.
Fernando Escobar led the way for the Gators' hitting attack going 2-for-4 while driving in four runs including three on a two-out double in SF State' four-run fourth inning.
Ryan Romero (1-0) picked up the win in the start for the visitors. The senior pitched four innings of two hit ball giving up two hits one run and walking one.
Joseph Chedid pitched 2.2 innings of relief, giving up four hits and two runs.
Shane Martin and
Cory Davis combined to pitched 2.1 scoreless innings striking out five Hawk batters.
Besides Escobar with two hits,
Bryce Cherry also had two hits (both doubles) while crossing home plate once.
Holy Names (2-1) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Sean Carrington scored on a Caleb Parker ground out after reaching base on a one-out triple to right center.
The Gators did not let the Hawks hold on to that lead long as they scored twice in the top of the third.
Connor Fraser led off the third reaching base on a Hawk error. He went to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Danny Souza. Fraser then advanced to third on a single by
Nick Jackson. With runners on the corners and one out, Escobar tied the game with a run scoring single to right field. Jackson scored later on the inning on a balk by the Hawks pitcher with two outs to give SF State the 2-1 lead.
SF State took a 6-1 lead with a four-run fourth inning.
Matt Vera reached first on a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single by
Garrett Heisinger. Fraser singled to left field to load the bases for Souza. The senior outfielder drove in Vera with a single to center field. Then with two outs, Escobar hit a double down the right field line to clear the bases and give the Gators a 6-1 lead.
Holy Names cut the Gator lead to 6-3 with on a two-out two-run triple to right center by Benjamin Gamba, who finished the night 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Martin came in to relief for the Gators and struck out the next Hawk to preserve the 6-3 SF State lead.
The Gators (1-2) added two insurance runs in their half of the eighth inning. Cherry and
Ryan Burke had back-to-back doubles to lead off the eighth.
Jacob Lopez came in to pinch run for Burke. Heisinger was hit by a pitch with one out. Lopez and Heisinger had a successful double steal attempt. With one out,
Andrew Breen hit a pinch-hit single to right field to give the Gators an 8-3 lead.
Martin shut down the Hawks in their half of the eighth. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Davis came in for the Gators and retired their hosts 1, 2, 3 to preserve the 8-3 SF State victory.
Luis Briseno (0-1) recorded the loss in the start for the Hawks.
The Gators will return to the diamond this weekend for a four-game series with the Central Washington Hawks. The two teams will play two 11am starting doubleheaders starting this Friday, February 6 at Maloney Field.
Box Score -----
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.
