SAN FRANCISCO – For the second consecutive day the SF State softball team battled and kept it tight with the No. 5 ranked team in the nation. But unfortunately, for the second-straight day Cal State Monterey Bay took both games of the twin-billing, winning game one 2-1 before taking the nightcap 4-2.
In the opener,
Megan Clark (4-15) was once again tasked with squaring off against one of the conference's top pitchers in the Otter's Cori Reinhardt (23-2), and for the second day in a row, Clark pitched beautifully keeping the Gators in the game.
The Otters (37-9/21-7 CCAA) plated their only runs of the game in the top of the first inning. A leadoff base hit, an error on a sacrifice bunt and a two-out single to left center by Reinhardt did the damage.
The defense behind the Gators (10-34/5-23 CCAA) pitcher's was stellar on the day. The top of the first ended in a beautifully turned 4-6-3 twin killing by
Courtney Gravel and
Jennifer Lewis who are turning into a dynamite double play combo.
Clark's line for the day: Seven complete, six hits, two runs, one earned with a walk and a strike out. At one point she retired 12 consecutive batters, retiring the side in order in the second, third, and fourth inning.
Reinhardt threw seven complete, scattering four hits, a run with a strike out in the win. Her lone blemish game in the second inning when
Lucy Fernandez led off the inning with a double to right center and scored on the ensuing play on the single to right field by
Sara Higa.
In the second game, the Gators scored first, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. A walk to Gravel to start the inning, and a one out hit by Lewis had runners at the corners for Fernandez. Fernandez did her part, laying down a perfect bunt down the first base like that allowed Gravel to score on the text book suicide squeeze.
SF State sent out freshman
Lindsey Cassidy (0-2) who pitched well in the first inning but could not escape the second when the Otters scored three of their four runs. One coming off a solo home run by first baseman Madison Casto.
Courtney Dunkel entered the game for SF State in the top of the second and pitched beautifully out of the pen. She threw 3.0 complete innings, scattering six hits, allowing one earned run with a walk and two strike outs.
The Gators scored their final run in the fourth inning. Once again it was a leadoff walk that started the rally. This time Lewis was issued the free pass. She moved to second on the base hit through the left side by Fernandez. That ended the day for the Otter's starter Danica Arterburn. Reinhardt entered the game for the Otters and got a pair of ground balls, the second off the bat of
Marisa Andrade allowed Lewis to score from third.
Reinhardt kept the Gators bats quiet the rest of the game, she earned her second win of the day throwing four shutout innings, scattering three hits with a walk and a strike out.
Gravel went 2-for-3 with a run and a walk, Lewis also had a pair of hits and a run scored.
Jenny Obbema pitched the final 2.2 innings and scattered a hit and a walk without allowing a run.
The Gators return to the diamond on Friday when they travel to Rohnert Park, for a four-game CCAA series against host Sonoma State. Game one of Friday's twin billing is at 1:00 p.m.
Game 1 Box Score (HTML)Game 2 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.
