SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's softball team turned two excellent pitching performances combined with timely hitting into opening day wins on Friday, as the Gators swept visiting Northwest Nazarene at the SF State Softball Field.  The Gators took game one 4-0 before winning the nightcap 7-5.

In the opener, SF State (2-0) handed the ball off to junior pitcher Megan Clark.  Clark was brilliant in her 2016 debut, throwing a three-hit complete game shutout.  The Crusaders (3-4) threatened only once in the game, but center fielder Alexis Mattos made short work of that threat, throwing out the runner at home.

Clark (1-0) faced just five batters over the minimum, scattering three hits, and a pair of walks, while recording a strike out.

After going through the Gators lineup rather quietly the first time through, Crusaders starter Kendall Goodwin (2-2) was not able to make it out of the fourth inning before the Gators roughed her up for four runs in the inning.

The rally started when Jennifer Lewis drew a four pitch walk, Sara Higa was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out.  A wild pitch advanced both runners 60 feet.  Lewis scored the game's first run on a sacrifice fly by Marisa Andrade.

The inning continued with a pair of clutch two our hits by Mallory Cleveland and Kayli Shaw.  Cleveland finished the afternoon, going a combined 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.   The four runs in the inning was more than enough or Clark who did an excellent job pitching to soft contact.

In the night camp Guzman (1-0) pitched five strong innings, scattering five hits, five runs, all earned with four walks and a strike out.  NNU scored a run in the first inning when a one out walk and a double plated a run.

Guzman settled and made quick work of the Crusaders until running into trouble in the sixth inning.  A hit by pitch, a single through the left side and a three-run home run off the foul pole by Northwest Nazarene's Kiahna Brown ended the day for Guzman.

Senior pitcher Jenny Obbema came into the game in the top of the sixth inning, after giving up a leadoff single she got a pair of ground balls, the second resulted in a beautifully turned 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. 

Obbema shut down the Crusaders in the seventh to lock down her first save of the year.  The Gators put SF State ahead with a big rally in the fourth when they scored five runs.  The Gators added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Taking the loss for the Crusaders in game two was Brooke Bonsen (1-2) who lasted 3.2 innings, surrendering seven hits, five runs, none of them earned with a walk and a strike out.

Higa went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the night cap.  Andrade, Angelica Terrel, Chelsea Brent and Shaw all collected hits on the day.

The Gators return to action tomorrow when they travel to Belmont, Calif., to take on Notre Dame de Namur at noon in a non-conference contest.  

Complete Box Score Game 1 (HTML)

Complete Box Score Game 2 (HTML)

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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.