SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State softball team entered the seventh inning of game two trailing 6-0 and refused to go down quietly. The Gators brought the tying run on deck, but in the end, they could not avoid the sweep, losing 6-3 in the finale after falling 6-3 in the opener to No. 10 Cal State Monterey Bay on senior day.
Though the scores were identical, the games could not have been any different. In game one, SF State (19-27/13-23 CCAA) starter
Megan Clark (10-15) was brilliant throwing five shutout innings, while scattering two hits. A sixth inning scoring outburst by the Otters (38-7/26-6 CCAA) was the difference. In the nightcap, CSUMB scored early and was aided by the long ball.
In game one, SF State managed just four hits but that looked like it would be enough. The Gators found a way to scratch three runs across the board and Clark did her part to keep the lead.
In the bottom of the third, the Gators scored their first two runs.
Alexis Konstantino drew a walk to start the really, she moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by
Aryn Guzman. Mattos doubled off the glove of the Otter's third baseman, allowing Konstantino to score from second, giving the Gators a 1-0 lead. Mattos scored the second run of the game when she stole third and advanced on the throwing error by the catcher.
SF State tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth.
Gabby Reta led off the inning doubling to right center. She moved to third on the productive out by Clark and scored on the throwing error by the Otter's right fielder, giving the Gators a 3-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth, the Otter's finally figured out Clark. CSUSB put together a string of three-straight hits, the third, a single through the left side past a diving
Kayli Shaw for their first run. They added a second run on a bloop-shot that landed in shallow left field scoring a run from third.
In the end, the Otters scored six runs on six hits, with one SF State error put Cal State Monterey Bay out front for good 6-3. Four runs coming after a costly two out error that extended the inning for the Otters. Clark's line: 7.0 innings pitched, eight hits allowed, six runs, only two earned, with four walks and four strike outs.
Earning the win for Cal State Monterey Bay was starter Haley Fein (24-6) who went the distance, scattering four hits, surrendering three runs, one earned, with two walks and nine strike outs.
Game two started with a rare inside the park home run by the Otter's right fielder Sam Luna. She hit a ball down the left field line that got past a diving
Delanie Chrisman and rolled all the way to the fence, allowing Luna to score without a throw. It was the first of three home runs hit by the Otters in the series finale, and the first of two hit by Luna in the game.
CSUMB's starter Rosalia Keirns (9-0) was perfect through the first four innings. Her chance at history ended in the bottom of the fourth inning when Clark led off the inning getting hit by a pitch. Keirns still took the not hit bid into the sixth inning when she allowed a one out single to right fielder Konstantino. The base hit by Konstantino was the first base hit of the career for the senior.
In the bottom of the seventh, SF State finally put together a rally.
Celeste Adriano led off the inning with a sharply hit single down the right field line, she moved to second on the productive out by
Sara Higa.
Gabby Reta singled to short, moving Adriano to third. Clark doubled to left center that scored Adriano and put runners in scoring position for
Kasie Trezona, who knocked in Reta with a single to right field.
That ended the day for Keirns, who lasted 6.1 innings, allowing five hits, three runs, with three strike outs. Fein came in and locked down her second save of the year, but not before allowing a sacrifice fly to Shaw that scored Clark from third.
Saturday's double header was Senior Day, SF State said goodbye to six seniors in a pre-game ceremony on the infield. Playing in their second to last game at SF State was seniors
Aryn Guzman,
Kayli Shaw,
Alexis Konstantino,
Megan Clark Gabby Reta and
Kasie Trezona.
The Gators will return to action next weekend when they begin a four-game series down south against Cal State San Bernardino. Game one of Friday's double header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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