LAS VEGAS — The San Francisco State softball team split a pair of lopsided games on day two of the Desert Stinger hosted by MSU Billings. The Gators came from behind to top Regis 18-7 in six innings and fell 17-4 in five innings to Oklahoma Christian.
- Through four games, SF State (2-2) has scored 40 runs, which is 17 more than the next team in the CCAA.
- However, the Gators also have a team ERA of 9.43, which is the second highest among conference peers.
- Versus Regis, SF State trailed 7-1 in the second and scored 17 unanswered runs to take that game in six innings.
- The 18 runs were the most scored dating back to 2012. The Gators put up 14 runs last season versus San Diego and in 2012 versus Humboldt State.
- The Gators surrendered nine runs in the first inning versus Oklahoma Christian, who is receiving votes in the NFCA Coaches preseason Top 25 poll.
vs. REGIS
- The Gators fell behind 5-0 in the first to Regis.
- Freshman Halle Nugent got SF State on the board in the second with her first career home run.
- In the third, four straight hits led to two more Rangers runs, although the Gators saved a run with a play at the plate.
- Tianna Jacques hit her second homer in as many games, a two-run homer to left center with Brylynn Vallejos on base, that cut the lead to 7-3 in the third.
- The momentum shifted to the Gators in the fourth inning. A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases and chased starting pitcher Abby Convington. Cortney Sexton struggled out of the bullpen and hit Lehua DeLeon, then issued a bases-loaded walk to cut the lead to 7-5. Sexton was quickly replaced by DP Taylor Armitage, who was the victim of an error that allowed two runs to cross. With Jacques on third, pinch runner Tayah Hernandez drew a throw to second, which allowed Jacques to score and give the Gators an 8-7 lead.
- The Gators recorded back-to-back singles in the fifth and Katelyn Sturm's pinch-hit, three-run homer broke the game open, 11-7.
- With Covington back in the circle in the sixth, Nina Revoir and Nugent recorded RBI singles. Covington was chased yet again with the bases loaded and Kara Rodeheaver stepped into the circle. She hit Samantha Alvarez and walked Sturm, then Vallejos reached on an error to make it 16-7. Two batters later, Michelle Castro worked a full count and singled home the Gators' 18th run of the day.
- Natalie Minteer improved to 2-1. She allowed seven runs on eight hits in five innings of work. She walked three and struck out two.
- Emily Mitchell pitched a perfect inning and struck out two.
- The Rangers used four pitchers. Covington (0-1) took the loss and was charged with 11 runs in three and a third innings.
vs. (RV) OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN
- The Eagles posted a nine-run first. They recorded six hits but took advantage of an error to start the game and three consecutive bases-loaded walks that chased Mitchell. Minteer allowed three more runs before getting out of the inning.
- SF State got a run back in the bottom of the first. Vallejos led off with a single and later scored on a Jacques fielder's choice.
- After both teams recorded three-up, three-down frames in the second, Oklahoma Christian struck for another crooked inning in the third. Jaiden Johnson hit a grand slam to center and Lindsey Stoeckel hit a two-run homer to left center that made it 14-1.
- The Gators put up a crooked inning of their own in the bottom half of the third. Nina Revoir doubled home a run and the Gators benefited from a two-run error.
- Johnson led off the fifth with her second homer, setting an Eagles single-game school record with eight RBI. Jillian Bouse capped off the inning with a two-run homer of her own.
- Mitchell (0-1) got the start versus Oklahoma Christian but struggled with her command, allowing six runs, and was chased before recording an out in the first.
- Minteer allowed five runs on six hits in three innings of relief.
- Lehua DeLeon pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning but walked two and gave up a pair of homers in the fifth.
- Stoeckel (1-0) picked up the win for Oklahoma Christian. She allowed four runs on three hits. She walked one and struck out four.
The tournament wraps up on Sunday, February 2 with a 2 p.m. game versus Simon Fraser. Be sure to follow San Francisco State Softball on Twitter and Instagram at @sfstate_sb.
