SAN FRANCISCO – The two games of Sunday's doubleheader could not have been more opposite, as the SF State softball team split with the visiting Academy of Art at the SF State Softball Field.  The Gators took game one 9-1 in six inning on the strength of Lindsey Cassidy's stellar pitching performance, before falling to the Urban Knights in a slugfest, 10-8 in the night cap.
 
SF State (3-2) got plenty of offense on Sunday.  The Gators bats roughed up the Urban Knights (3-6-1) pitching staff to the tune of 17 runs on 20 hits over the span of two games.  Sophomore outfielder Mallory Cleveland had a monster day at the plate, going a combined 3-for-7 with three runs scored, five runs batted in, and her first collegiate home run, a two-run blast over the center field fence in the bottom of the fifth inning that briefly gave the Gators the lead in the second game.
 
Jennifer Lewis and Sara Higa both had multi-hit games.  Lewis went 2-for-3 with a run scored in game one, while Higa was 3-for-4 with a run scored in the nightcap.  The Gators 3-4-5 hitters combined to go 9-for-21 on the day with seven runs scored and six runs driven on.
 
In game one, sophomore starter Lindsey Cassidy threw six dominating innings, she lost her no-hit bid with one out in the top of the fifth inning.  For the afternoon, she scattered two hits, one earned run, with a walk and two strike outs, to earn her first collegiate win.  
 
SF State is making a habit of scoring first, they did it again in both games.  In game one, the Gators scored quickly in the first inning.  Madison Collins doubled to left field with one out and scored when she and Lewis executed the well timed double-steal.
 
The one run looked like it was going to be enough as Cassidy made short work of the ArtU batters.  Academy of Art drew a walk in the first and threatened in the fifth but could not get the hit they needed until the top of the sixth inning.  With one out, Brenna Youngquist doubled down the left field line to put a runner in scoring position with one out.  After a pinch runner and a pop up, Elise Oldham finally got the Urban Knights the big hit they were looking for, singling up the middle that scored the pinch runner to tie the game 1-1.
 
The Urban Knight lead was short lived.  In the bottom of the sixth the Gators batted through the lineup, scoring eight runs on seven hits.  Aryn Guzman had the rare sixth inning walk off when she doubled to left center that scored Celeste Adriano to give the Gators an eight run lead to end the game.
 
In the night cap, starter Megan Clark (1-1) looked strong for the first four innings.  A defensive miscue allowed the Urban Knights to extend the fourth inning and scored six runs to take the lead back from the Gators.
 
However, the Gators offense was up to the task.  After scoring four runs to start the game, the Gators had an explosive fifth inning.  Back-to-back home runs by Cleveland and Angelica Terrel gave the Gators the lead 8-6 after five. 
 
Unfortunately for the Gators, Clark ran out of gas in the sixth.  Surrendering four more runs, including a home run by the pitcher Brenna Mitchell.  The two run lead would be enough as, Mitchell was able to keep the Gators bats from scoring in the sixth and seventh inning to take the second game 10-8.
 
Clark threw 5.2 innings, allowing nine hits, 10 runs, all earned with six walks and two strike outs.  Most all of that coming after two outs were recording in the fourth inning.
 
Mitchell (3-3) earned the win in game two throwing three innings of one hit relief.  She took the loss in game one after getting shelled for six runs on four hits over finning innings. 
 
SF State returns to action on Friday when they host Cal State San Bernardino for a four-game CCAA series starting at noon. 

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.