SAN MARCOS, Calif. – With the game tied 5-5 the SF State softball team and host Cal State San Marcos needed seven additional innings to decide the winner in Saturday's finale.  Ultimately, the Gators came away with the 7-5 win and took the day, sweeping the Cougars after taking game one 5-4 in nine innings to begin the day.

"It took us 25 innings to get these two wins but our team never game up," said head coach Lisa Allen.  "We had some more good performances by our pinch hitters.  The pitchers found a way to battle a tough strike zone in both game.  The defense took care of the ball and made good plays.  They fought hard all day and came out on top."  

In the finale Alexis Mattos and Madison Collins were a thorn in the side of the host Cougars.  Mattos went 3-for-5 with three runs driven in while Collins was 3-for-7 with two RBI.  Both players hit huge doubles late that tied the game or gave the Gators the lead.

The Gators (19-12/16-8 CCAA) collected 33 hits and scored 12 runs on the day, none bigger than the double by Mattos in the 14^th that put SF State back out front for good.  Megan Clark (9-4) earned two wins on the day, pitching a combined 17 innings.

Game one followed a different script than the previous two games, SF State jumped out to an early 3-0 lead but could not hold onto it for long.  Cal State San Marcos scored two in the first inning and two more in the second to take an early 4-3 lead. 

Clark went the distance going nine complete, scattering five hits, four runs, three earned, with five walks and a season-high nine strike outs, including the final out of the game.

After the first two innings starter Megan Clark (8-4) dominated, the Cougars scored all four runs and two of their five hits in the first two frames, from the third to the ninth Clark scattered three hits with no runs allowed en-route to her eighth win of the season.  Her line for the day:  she scattered five hits, four runs, three earned, with five walks and a season-high nine strike outs.

SF State got on the board early, scoring three in the top of the first.  Jennifer Lewis started the scoring for the Gators knocking in a run on a swinging bunt back towards the pitcher that scored Madison Collins.  Gabby Reta and Chelsea Brent both tallied two-out singles that scored runs to give Clark a three run cushion before she threw a pitch.

Game one starter for CSUSM, Ashley Dagenais, was roughed up literally and figuratively.  In three innings of work the Gators added six hits and three earned to her scorecard.  She was lifted in the fourth inning when a comebacker hit her in the stomach.

She was replaced by relief pitcher Amanda Horbasch (4-14) who took the ball the rest of the way for the Cougars.  She took the loss after throwing 6.0 innings, surrendering nine hits, with an earned run, one walk and five strike outs.

The Gators took the lead for good in the top of the ninth inning.  Lewis led off the frame with a double to right center.  SF State used small ball the rest of the way; Kayli Shaw laid down a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt that moved Lewis to third, Angelica Terrel knocked Lewis in with a base hit through the left side.

Lewis went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI in game one.  Reta had a three hit day with an RBI for the Gators.  Also collecting multiple hits in the opener for SF State was Aryn Guzman and Marisa Andrade.

In the nightcap Gators' starter Lindsey Cassidy struggled early.  The Cougars scored three runs on four hits with a pair of walks through the first two innings.  CSUSM scored a run in the first inning when a leadoff double eventually came around to score on a 9-3 putout. 

Cal State San Marcos added two more runs in the bottom of the second scoring two runs on two hits, a two-out single to right field plated two more runs go give the Cougars a 3-1 lead.

The Gators offense was kept off the board but threatened several times, stranding runners in the first and second innings.  But the Gators offense could not be held in check any longer.  In the top of the sixth inning the Gators loaded the bases with one out that brought up Madison Collins.  The Gators hot hitting designated player doubled to right center that scored a pair to tie the game at three.

One batter later Guzman singled to left field that scored two more runs thanks to the error by the Cougars left fielder, putting SF State out front 5-3.

Cassidy tried to close the door on the Cougars, but ran out of gas in the bottom of the seventh.  Two singles and an error loaded the bases with no outs, and a five pitch walk brought in a run to end Cassidy's day.

Clark came in and immediately issued a walk that tied the game at five all.  But she settled down and got three consecutive ground balls to end the threat.  Clark was brilliant, getting in and out of trouble routinely.  She threw eight shutout innings, scattering six hits, with a walk and two strike outs for the win.

With the win the Gators run their winning streak to eight games.  SF State returns to action next week when they travel to Turlock, Calif. to participate in the Stanislaus State hosted Tournament of Champions.

Complete Box Score Game 1 (HTML)

Complete Box Score Game 2 (HTML)

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About San Francisco State Athletics
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.