SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State softball team received two tremendous pitching performances to begin their series against visiting Cal State San Bernardino.
Jenny Obbema and
Megan Clark combined to throw 14 innings, scattering nine hits and five earned runs as SF State earned the split, falling in game one 3-1 before smashing the Coyotes in the nightcap 8-2.
"Today both pitchers,
Jenny Obbema and
Megan Clark, did very well on the mound," said head coach
Lisa Allen. "Our defense did a fabulous job backing them up and coming up with some key double plays. In the first game we didn't make and adjustment as an offense. We are proud of how the offense responded and adjusted in the second game."
In the opener Obbema (0-2) took the tough-luck loss. Throwing a complete game four hitter, while allowing three earned runs in another sterling pitching performance. Her lone mistake was a one out-strike that caught too much of the plate and resulted in a two-run, tie breaking, home run for the Seawolves.
The Gators (4-3/1-1 CCAA) offense in the opener could not figure out Coyotes' (8-7/3-3 CCAA) starter Cassandra Williams (7-3). Williams threw a complete game one hitter, scattering an earned run with two walks and seven strike outs.
The lone hit, a one out single by
Sara Higa in the first inning that scored
Alexis Mattos, for the Gators lone run. Mattos led off the inning drawing a four pitch walk.
Obbema surrendering a run in the first when Coyotes leadoff hitter Morgan Ratliff singled through the right side, she then stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Ratliff later scored on a fielder's choice.
Following the earned run, Obbema settled into a nice grove, retiring seven in a row before giving up a one out single past third base in the top of the fourth inning. The next batter, catcher Jessica Brown, hit her fifth home run of the early season, sending a pitch over the left field fence into the bleachers, which proved to be the difference.
In the night cap the Coyotes once again scored in the first, following the same script from game one. Clark (2-1) battled to limit the damage to a single run, stranding three Coyote base runners.
The Gators offense didn't take long solving CSUSB's game-two starter Jamie Nelson (0-1). Nelson recorded just one out before she was lifted in the first inning. SF State scored three runs in the opening frame on four hits. The big one coming off the bat of first baseman
Marisa Andrade, a two run single to right field that scored Higa and
Jennifer Lewis.
The Gators added a run in the third and four in the fourth to run away with it. The run support was more than enough for Clark who went the distance, scattering five hits, and two earned runs to earn her second win of the season.
At the plate, eight Gators recorded a hit in game two, Higa went 3-for-4 in the nightcap with two runs scored and an RBI.
Aryn Guzman went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Lewis added a pair of RBI and
Madison Collins drove in a run as well.
The Gators and Coyotes will conclude their four game series tomorrow when they play another double header starting at 11:00 a.m. at the SF State Softball field.
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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.
