SAN FRANCISCO--- The visiting Sonoma State Seawolves scored five runs in their half of the sixth inning to key their 11-4 road conference victory over SF State in today's weekend series opener.  The Seawolves had 18 hits led by the trio of Daniel Caresio, Matthew Richards and Bryant Cid who went a combined 12 for 15.

"Today was a bit disappointing," said SF State head coach Tony Schifano.  "We didn't pitch well, we weren't ready on defense and we had a poor approach with runners in scoring position.  Hopefully, we wake up and come out ready to play tomorrow."

Ryan Burke's two-out double brought in Connor Fraser with the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Gators a 1-0 lead.  Fraser had a one-out single and scored on Burke's eighth double of the season. Sonoma State's Matthew Richards tied the game at 1-1 when he scored on a double play ball by Bryant Cid in the top of the second.  Richards and had a lead-off hit, went to second when the Gators misplayed the single.   He went to third on a single by Tyler Glenn and scored when Cid hit into a double play.

SF State (22-23, 14-19 CCAA) retook the lead in its half of the fourth inning.  Logan Marston had a lead-off double to center field, went to third on a single by Carter Gambrell.  Marston and Gambrell each advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt by Joe Chedid.  Jake Faulkner was hit by a pitch with one out to load the bases.  Marston scored when Brooks reached on a fielder's choice as the Gators took a 2-1 lead.  Sonoma State's Matt Hammonds induced the next Gator to fly out to left to end the inning.

The Seawolves once again and tied the game at 2-2 in their half of the fifth.  Cid had a lead-off single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Reyson Romero.  Daniel Caresio walked and then both runners stole second and third with one out.  Cid scored the tying run on a single by Spencer Neve.  SF State starter, Dillon Houser, then struck out the next batter and induced the final out on a ground to Brooks at short. 

Sonoma State (19-26, 17-17 CCAA) broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning as the Seawolves took a 7-2 lead.  Richards had a lead-off home run to start the inning, his sixth of the season.  Then with two-outs, Neve hit a three-run double to cap the five-run sixth inning for the visitors.  The Seawolves added an insurance run in the seventh on a Caresio two-out single to left field which scored Brett Sesma to increase their lead to 8-2.

SF State cut the deficit in half, 8-4, with a two-run eighth inning.  Thomas Derry hit a pinch-hit one-out single to center field, advanced to second on a wild pitch.  He scored on a two-out double by Chedid.  Still with two outs, Chedid scored on a pinch-hit single by Noeh Martinez to cut the Seawolf lead to 8-4.  Sonoma State added three more runs to increase its lead to 11-4 as the visitors held on for the series opening victory.

Cid and Caresio each went 4-for-5 to lead the way the visitors while Neve drove in four runs and Richards and Cid each scored three times.  Matt Hammonds (4-3) picked up the win, pitching 5 innings, giving up 7 hits, two runs, striking out 5 and walking one.  DeVon Golden and Cody Bennett pitched the final four innings of relief, giving up 6 hits, two runs, striking out three and walking one.

Houser (4-5) suffered the loss for the Gators as he pitched 5.2 innings, gave up 11 hits and 7 runs while striking out a season high 6 batters and walking two.  Dylan Bell, Alex Navarrete and Brett Elgin pitched the final 3.1 innings of relief, giving up 7 hits, four runs and striking out two.  The Gators had 13 hits on the day paced by Fraser's three-hit day.  Myles Franklin, Burke and Chedid each had two hits apiece and Franklin stole his 13^th and 14^th base of the season.

The two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow at noon for a doubleheader at Seawolf Diamond in Rohnert Park.  The series will conclude this Sunday, May 8 back at SF State's Maloney Field with a noon starting series finale.  Prior to the game, the Gators will recognize their five seniors in Ryan Burke, Joe Chedid, Connor Fraser, Shane Martin and Peter Reyes with a Senior Day ceremony beginning at 11:30am.   

Box Score

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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.
 
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