TURLOCK – The SF State softball team had its chances in both contests of Saturday's double header at the Tournament of Champions hosted by Cal State Stanislaus. The Gators had the bases loaded in a tie game in the sixth in game one in a 5-4 loss to Western Washington and scored four runs late in game two, but was saddled with a 7-4 defeat at the hands of Hawaii Pacific to wrap up the day.
In the first game against Western Washington, the Gators (8-25) had their opportunities. SF State left 10 baserunners on, none bigger than when the Gators left the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth. With one out and the game tied, the Vikings turned a 1-2-3 inning ending double play to preserve the tie.
The game was a battle all evening, when one team scored the other matched. Western Washington led off the game scoring a run in the first inning, the Gators matched on an RBI single up the middle by
Sara Higa.
The Gators took the lead, scoring two in the third.
Aryn Guzman connected with a base hit up the middle that scored
Marisa Andrade and
Courtney Gravel.
Western Washington responded. Retaking the lead, scoring two in the fourth. Gators starter
Jenny Obbema (2-5) was the one charged with taking the ball for the Gators. She did her part eating innings for SF State, throwing 7.0 complete, scattering six hits, five runs, four earned, with two walks and a strike out. It was her second consecutive start throwing a complete game, and the fourth of her career.
The Vikings scored the winning run in the top of the seventh when first baseman Emily Benson broke the 4-4 tie with a solo home run down the left line on a 3-1 pitch.
Earning the win for the Vikings was relief pitcher Makinlee Sellevold (13-5). Sellevold threw 1.2 scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit, a walk and a strike out. She threw a perfect 1-2-3 seventh to close the door on the Gators. Starting for Western Washington was Molly Hawkins who threw 5.1 inning, surrendering seven innings pitched, four runs, three earned, with three walks and a strike out.
Collecting multiple hits in game one for the Gators was Brent, she went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Joining Brent with multiple hits was
Jennifer Lewis who went 2-for-3 and Gravel who went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
In the nightcap against Hawaii-Pacific (17-13) the Gators rallied, but it was too late, as the Sharks already built up a 7-0 lead before the Gators got on the board. SF State lit up the scoreboard for four runs in the sixth.
In the game Brent continued to swing a white-hot bat, she went 3-for-4 with a run scored. For the day she went 5-for-7 with two runs scored and a run driven on. Lewis and Higa also collected multiple hits. Lewis went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the four run rally and scored. She finished the day going 4-for-7 with a run scored and the RBI. Higa went 2-for-4 with an RBI finishing the afternoon 3-for-8 with two RBI.
Megan Clark (3-11) started for the Gators, she managed just 3.1 innings, surrendering 10 hits, four runs, three earned with a strike out.
Courtney Dunkel pitched three effective innings. She went 3.0 complete, scattering two hits, three runs, two earned.
Lindsey Cassidy continues to be a shot in the arm for the Gators pitching staff. She threw two thirds of an inning without surrendering a hit.
Earning the win for the Sharks was Alexa McCoin (4-2). McCoin went 5.0 complete, surrendering 10 hits, four runs, three earned, with a strike out.
SF State wraps up the tournament playing in the consolation bracket tomorrow morning. They will play at 9:00 a.m.taking on tournament host Cal State Stanislaus in a non-conference showdown. Live stats will be available at SFStateGators.com.
Western Washington Box Score (HTML)Hawaii Pacific 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.
