SAN FRANCISCO –
Lucy Fernandez's two-out walk-off double in game one of today's conference doubleheader keyed the SF State Gators' split with the visiting Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes. Fernandez double scored
Courtney Gravel in the Gators' 3-2 extra-inning victory. Cal State San Bernardino took the night cap 10-7 behind the bat of Nicole Nobbe, who had drove in five runs and scored twice.
Game OneThe Coyotes took the lead in the opener when Monica Maddox scored in the top of the second inning. Maddox pinch ran for Caitlyn Olan, who reached base on a lead-off walk. She went to second on a single by Mary Menicucci. Maddox pinch ran for Olan and scored when Briana Quintana reached base on an errant throw by the Gators.
SF State tied the game in its half of the second on a double by
Sara Higa which brought in
Jennifer Lewis with the tying run. Lewis had a lead-off double to left center to begin the Gator second.
The Coyotes (17-15, 9-10 CCAA) took a 2-1 lead on a lead-off solo home run by Cassandra Williams in the Coyote sixth. The score remained 2-1 Cal State San Bernardino until the Gator seventh. Higa led off the seventh with a double and went to third on a one-out ground out by
Megan Clark. With two outs and the count,
Aryn Guzman hit the first pitch she saw for a line shot to center field which brought in Higa with the tying run.
Cal State San Bernardino had a chance to take the lead in the eighth inning, but Clark stranded the go ahead run on third.
In the Gator eighth,
Courtney Gravel had a one-out single and scored the game-winning run on Fernandez's double to left field on a 0-1 count.
Clark (2-8) picked up the win as she pitched 8 innings, giving up 5 hits and two runs (one earned), striking out one and walking two. Higa had two of the Gators' 7 hits in the opener.
Cassandra Williams (11-8) recorded the loss in the start for the Coyotes. She pitched 7.2 innings, giving up 7 hits and three runs while striking out 10 and walking two.
Game TwoAlyssa Ramos hit a two-run to cap a five-run second inning for the Coyotes to give the visitors a 5-0 lead.
SF State (6-20, 3-17 CCAA) cut the Coyote lead to 5-4 with a four-run fourth inning.
Selina Rodriguez started the scoring for the Gators with a lead-off home run.
Chelsea Brent walked and went to second on a single by Gravel. Brent scored on a sacrifice fly by Fernandez. Higa then hit a double with one out to send
Jennifer Lewis to third, who reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs and runners on second and third,
Marisa Andrade drove in both Higa and Lewis on a single through the left side to cut the Coyote lead to 5-4.
Cal State San Bernardino had another five-spot in the sixth inning to increase its lead to 10-4.
SF State scored three runs of its own in its half of the sixth inning keyed by Higa's two-out two-run home run to cut the Coyote lead to 10-7.
Jamie Nelson (6-5) shut down the Gators in the seventh to preserve the Coyote 10-7 win. She pitched 6 innings, giving up 6 hits and five runs, striking out one and walking one. Williams pitched the sixth inning, giving up two hits and two runs.
Nicole Nobbe finished the night cap, 3 for 5, driving in five runs and scoring twice. She missed hitting the cycle by a triple.
Courtney Dunkel (3-5) recorded the loss in the start for SF State. Higa had two of the Gators' 8 hits while driving in two runs and scored twice.
The Gators will continue their home stand this Wednesday, March 25 at 1pm, when they host Western Oregon in a non-conference doubleheader.
Box Score Game OneBox Score Game Two------
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.
