ROHNERT PARK – The SF State softball team traveled to nearby Rohnert Park to battle Bay Area Rival Sonoma State at Seawolf Softball Field. The Gators lost to the host team in the opener 7-2 before evening up the series taking the nightcap 5-2.
The top of the first inning could not have been more different on Friday afternoon for the Gators. In game one SF State (11-35/6-24 CCAA) was retired in order by way of the strike out. In the nightcap, the Gators rallied for four runs on five hits to take an early lead.
In the opener, the Gators had two costly errors that led to big innings for the Seawolves (33-16/19-10).
Megan Clark (4-16) took the ball for the Gators and she threw 6.0 complete innings, surrendering 10 hits, seven runs, four earned, with two walks and four strike outs.
Clark's counterpart, Amanda Llerena (19-10) threw 7.0 complete, scattering four hits, two runs, two earned, with three walks and eight strike outs. Fiving coming in the first two innings.
The Seawolves scored two runs in the top of the second and never relinquished the lead in the series opener. A solo home run and a base hit aided by an error led to the runs.
In the fourth inning Sonoma State broke the game open scoring four runs on three hits. They added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.
The Gators scored two in the top of the fifth inning. A fielder's choice and a two out walk brought
Jennifer Lewis to the plate. Lewis has been on a hot streak in the second half of the season, and today was no different, on a 1-2 offering, Lewis doubled to right field that plated
Courtney Gravel and
Celeste Adriano.
In the second game the Gators offense jumped all over the Sonoma State starter. The Gators batted through the order, Gravel started the rally with a double,
Chelsea Brent singled, the first of her two hits on the day, and Lewis reached on an error to load the bases with no outs.
Lucy Fernandez singled for the game's first run,
Sara Higa followed with an RBI base hit. Clark drew a walk with the bases loaded for an RBI,
Delanie Chrisman singled for the Gators final run of the inning.
That ended the day for starter Mayleen Mazon (10-6), she could not get out of the first, going 0.2 of an inning, surrendering five hits, four runs, three earned, with a walk. Relief pitcher Gabby Dupree went the final 6.1 innings, scattering three hits, one earned run.
Jenny Obbema took the ball for the Gators to start the game, she threw 3.0 complete innings, scattering four hits, no runs, with a walk and a strike out.
Aryn Guzman (1-4) took the ball for the Gators in relief, she threw 4.0 innings, surrendering three hits, two earned runs, with a walk and a strike out. The lone blemish, a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning by designated player Jenna Kaser who clubbed two home runs on the day.
Fernandez and Gravel joined Brent with multiple hits in the nightcap, Brent scored two runs in the second game.
The Gators go for the series victory tomorrow when the series resumes at noon for game one. Game two of Saturday's double header is scheduled for 2:00 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.
