SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State softball team fell to visiting Cal State San Bernardino in both games of Friday's double header, losing game one 5-0 before dropping the nightcap 7-4 to begin the four-game CCAA series at the SF State Softball Field.

In the series opener the Gators (5-18/2-15 CCAA) ran into a strong pitching performance from Coyotes' starter Cassandra Williams (11-7).  Williams scattered a pair of hits, while throwing a complete game shutout, she walked three and struck out five.

The Gators had their chance early, after a walk and a hit batter Sara Higa came to the plate, and with two outs, she put an absolute charge into a ball, sadly, the freshman catcher challenged the wrong part of the yard and the ball was caught at the warning track.

The Coyotes (16-14/8-9 CCAA) scored their first run in the top of the third inning.  After throwing two quick innings, starter Megan Clark (1-8) hit batter to start frame.  A sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch allowed that runner to advance to third.  The run scored on a sacrifice fly to third.  Aryn Guzman ended the inning throwing a laser to third to throw out the other Coyote runner at second trying to advance.

In the top of the sixth inning the Coyotes chased Clark out of the game.  She began the inning by issuing a walk, four-straight singles and a hit batter before being lifted.  For the day, she went 5.0 complete, allowing seven hits, five runs, four earned with a walk and two strike outs.

Courtney Dunkel came in on relief and pitched two innings without surrendering a hit or a walk.  Chelsea Brent clubbed the first of her two doubles on the day in game one.  Lucy Fernandez had the only other hit for the Gators.

In the nightcap The Coyotes scored a run in the first inning off starter Jenny Obbema (1-4) but once again a nice throw from the outfield threw out a runner to prevent further damage.

In the bottom half of the inning Sara Higa gave the Gators a brief lead when she smashed a single to center field that scored Selina Rodriguez from third and Jennifer Lewis from second.  Higa was thrown out at second attempting to stretch the single into a double.

The Coyotes scored four in the second to end the day for Obbema who lasted just an inning plus, she allowed six hits, five runs, all earned with a walk. Courtney Dunkel came in the game and finished it going six complete, scattering nine hits, two runs, two earned with three strike outs. 

For the afternoon, Dunkel pitched very well out of the bullpen, throwing eight crucial innings to help keep the Gators in the game.

Jamie Nelson (5-6) took the ball for the Coyotes in the second game, she went 7.0 complete, allowing eight hits, four runs, all earned with three walks and two strike outs.

The Gators scored two more in the fifth on a two-run double to left center by Fernandez, but that was would be the runs the Gators could muster.  Megan Clark went 1-for-2 as the designated player, Guzman and Delanie Chrisman also collected hits.

The Gators and Coyotes will wrap up the four-game series tomorrow when the two squads play a double-header.  Game one of the twin-billing starts at 11 a.m. with the second game scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch. 

Game 1 Box Score (HTML)

Game 2 Box Score (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.