TURLOCK – The SF State softball team dropped both halves of Friday's CCAA double header to host Cal State Stanislaus. The Gators could not hold on to a slim lead in game one falling 3-1 before a late rally in the fifth broke a 3-3 tie for the Warriors to win 5-3 in the nightcap.
SF State (8-28/3-19 CCAA) had two strong pitching performances from its starting pitching.
Megan Clark and
Jenny Obbema both threw complete games and both pitchers allowed only two earned runs. But defensive miscues and stranding runners in scoring position proved to be the Gators undoing.
In the series opener the Gators and Warriors (13-23/5-17 CCAA) had a full on pitcher's duel brewing. Clark (3-12) threw five shutout frames, scattering give hits. Her counterpart, the Warriors' Jessica Varady (8-7) tossed five scoreless innings of her own.
The Gators eventually broke the scoreless streak when
Jennifer Lewis singled through the left side and advanced to second on a passed ball. She came around to score on the two-out single up the middle by
Sara Higa.
The Warriors answered, scoring three runs in the home half of the sixth. A leadoff triple put the Gators' starter in a precarious position. CSUS followed that up with an RBI fielder's choice to tie the game. Two hits and an error later and the Warriors had a 3-1 lead going into the top of the seventh.
Varady issued a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh but retired the next three batters she faced to earn the win. For the day she threw 7.0 complete, scattering five hits, one run, none earned, with three walks and seven strike outs.
Taking the hard luck loss was Clark, who threw brilliantly. She pitched a complete game, going 6.0 strong, scattering eight hits, three runs, two earned with no walks and two strike outs.
In the nightcap a red-hot
Lucy Fernandez was not enough. The Gators' senior third baseman went 2-for-2 with three runs driven in.
Courtney Gravel saw the ball well going 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the second game.
SF State struck first in the top of the first inning. Gravel led off the game with a double to right center. She moved to third on a wild pitch and eventually scored on the single by Fernandez. The two-out single by Fernandez was a battle, lasting 10 pitches, Fernandez fouled off six-straight pitches before crushing the ball into left field.
The Warriors responded scoring three runs with the help of shaky Gator defense. Alex Rowell led off the inning with a base hit, it was the only hit of the inning for the Warriors who did their damage on the help of three SF State errors.
But Fernandez would even the game up.
Aryn Guzman led off the inning with a base hit, Gravel followed with her second hit of the game. After getting two quick outs, Fernandez jumped all over a 1-0 offering by starter Karina Callazo and tripled to center field scoring both runners. Callazo pitched 3.0 complete, allowing three runs on five hits, with six strike outs.
The Gators had their shot to add to their run total in the fifth. With two runners on and one out the Warriors pitched around Fernandez to load the bases for the Gators who were unable to score. Relief pitcher Cheyenne Harper induced back-to-back fielder's choices ended the threat.
CSUS scored the deciding runs in the home half of the inning. Two doubles and a triple plated a pair of runs giving Harper all the support she would need, as she closed the door on the Gators in the sixth and seventh inning.
Harper threw four shutout innings, allowing two hits with two walks to improve to 3-7.
Obbema (2-6) countered throwing 6.0 complete, scattering six hits, five runs, two earned with four strike outs.
The Gators and Warriors will resume the series tomorrow when the two sides play a double header. Game one of the double header will start at noon with the finale slated for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch.
Box Score Game 1 (HTML)Box Score Game 2 (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.
