HAYWARD, Calif. – The SF State Softball team got plenty of offense and just enough pitching as the Gators took both halves of Tuesday's double header against host Cal State East Bay to begin the four game CCAA series at Pioneer Field.  The Gators took game one 9-7 before taking the nightcap 5-3.

"We had two team-wins today," said head coach Lisa Allen.  "The offense did very well, consistently putting pressure on the defense.  We put down several bunts and we were aggressive on the bases.  Our pitching staff did well with getting good results and worked out of a few jams.  Overall, I'm very proud of how they worked together and found a way to get a hit or make the out."
 
SF State (13-12/10-8 CCAA) saw its offense erupt in a big way on Tuesday.  The Gators clubbed a combined 23 hits and crossed the plate 14 times during the double header.  In game one alone SF State set a season-high with 13 hits in a single game.  Senior shortstop Jennifer Lewis is starting to catch fire, she finished the day going 5-for-7 with two runs scored and three runs batted in. 
 
In the circle, the Gators received just enough pitching from starters Jenny Obbema and Lindsey Cassidy to get the wins.  Obbema (3-3) earned her second win in as many games, while Cassidy improved to 3-5 earning a win in game two, she also recorded the save in game one.
 
Game one proved to be a wild one, a season-high 13 hits and nine runs was almost not enough, after the Gators blew the game open in the top of the fifth, going up 8-2.  The Pioneers (9-13/9-13 CCAA) made it a game, scoring five runs in the bottom half of the inning.
 
A solo home run by Chelsea Brent provided the Gators some breathing room as they held on for the 9-7 win.  Of the Gators 13 hits, five were extra base hits in the opener.  SF State clubbed four doubles and the home run by Brent.  Kayli Shaw was the tough out for the Pioneers in game one, she went 3-for-4 with a run scored and drove in three RBI. 
 
The Gators had five players record multiple hits in the series opener.  Angelica Terrel clubbed a pair of doubles, while Alexis Mattos remains red-hot going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
 
With the win, Obbema to improves to .500 on the season.  She was nearly flawless until the bottom of the fifth inning when she could not get out of the frame unscathed.  With one out and a run already in, a grand slam by CSUEB's Annissa Gonzalez cut the SF State lead to one.
 
Lindsey Cassidy came in and got the final out for the Gators and pitched the final two innings for her second save of the season.  Obbema's line: 4.2 innings pitched, surrendering seven hits, seven runs, six earned, with four walks and a strike out.
 
Taking the loss for the Pioneers in game one was Tatiana Beilstein (3-6) who was roughed up for eight hits, seven runs, five earned over 4.1 innings.
 
In the nightcap SF State once again had to come from behind.  With Cassidy toeing the rubber for the Gators, the Pioneers scored a run in the bottom of the first and again in the bottom of the third.  But Cassidy shut the Pioneers down the rest of her outing.
 
The Gators offense responded, scoring a run in the third and again in the fourth and two more runs in the top of the fifth inning. The big hit in the fifth, a one out single up the middle by Lewis that scored Shaw and Mattos who both singled to start the inning.
 
Cassidy's line in game two: 5.2 innings pitched, scattering seven hits, two runs, one earned, with a pair of walks and two strike outs.  Megan Clark threw the final inning and a third for her first save of the season.
 
Taking the loss for the Pioneers was Sierra Clark (6-6) who threw 6.0 complete, surrendering nine hits, with four earned runs, and three strike outs.
 
The Gators look to go for the series sweep against the Pioneers when the series resumes tomorrow at noon at the Pioneer Field.  

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.