TUCSON, Ariz. — The San Francisco State softball team split a pair of games on the first day of the Desert Stinger at Lincoln Park, hosted by MSU Billings. The Gators topped Western Washington 9-7 but let game two get away as SF State dropped that game 10-3 to Regis.
- SF State moves to 3-4 on the young season. The Vikings, who were receiving votes in the NCAA Division II coaches poll, fell to 2-4. Regis improved to 3-3.
- The Gators won the first game despite being outhit 12-7. The Gators outhit Regis 10-9 in the nightcap.
- SF State stole 11 more bases, led by three from Brylynn Vallejos. The Gators entered the week second in the nation in Division II in stolen bases behind Benedict and now have stolen 35 bases on the season, compared to just two by their opponents.
- The Gators recorded seven errors through their first six games but four errors versus Regis proved costly as three runs came unearned and gave Regis the lead for good in the sixth inning.
GAME ONE
- An unearned run put WWU on the board in the first inning but the Gators answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Lehua DeLeon singled, moved up 60 feet after Lexi Holihan walked, then stole third and scored on an errant throw. Holihan followed suit and stole third and yet another errant throw gave the Gators a 2-1 lead.
- The SF State lead held until the fifth when the Vikings regained the lead. Dakota Brooks' bunt single tied the game at 2-2 and Lauren Lo's sac fly put WWU up, 3-2.
- Once again, the Gators answered and this time the Gators put up a crooked inning and forced WWU to use three different pitchers in the frame. The first two batters of the inning drew walks and a third walk loaded the bases with one out, forcing a pitching change. A wild pitch tied the game at 3-3. Halle Nugent was walked to reload the bases and Sydney Jenkins took a 2-2 pitch to right center for an RBI single and the lead, which prompted yet another change in the circle. The Gators added another run on Kira Nilson's full-count, bases-loaded walk and Taya Vincent plated a pair with a single down the left field line.
- The Gators couldn't get the shutdown inning they needed in the sixth. Instead, Brooks sent a two-out, bases-clearing double to pull WWU within a run. A Lo base hit tied the game at 7-7.
- SF State responded yet another time. Marley Gonzales led off the bottom of the sixth with a single and moved into scoring position on a Vallejos double. Lehua DeLeon sent them both home with a double to left field that turned out to be the game-winner.
- Lexi Holihan went five innings and allowed three runs, two earned, with three strikeouts.
- Madeline Eshbach (2-1) allowed four runs in an inning of work but was the pitcher of record when the Gators took the lead for good.
- Kaitlyn Maddux earned her first save. She induced a couple of groundouts before allowing a pair of baserunners, but recorded another groundout to end the game.
- Kira Doan went four and a third for WWU and earned a no decision. She allowed five runs, three earned, and struck out five but walked six.
- Sydney Brown did not record an out in the fifth and was charged with two earned runs.
- Joie Baker (2-2) took the loss for the Vikings with two runs in an inning and two thirds worth of work.
GAME TWO
- The Gators grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Taya Vincent singled and stole second, then scored on Kai DeLeon's infield single. Vallejos reached on a fielder's choice, then swiped second and third, and scored on Lehua DeLeon's single back up the middle that made it 2-0. DeLeon swiped second and added an insurance run on Jenkin's RBI single back up the middle.
- It wasn't enough though. The Rangers exploded for five runs in the sixth and five more in the seventh. The Gators recorded a pair of errors in each of those innings. SF State got a runner to third in the seventh but otherwise went quietly in the final two innings.
- Maddux (0-3) was cruising early. She was perfect through four inning and allowed just one hit through the fifth but things deteriorated quickly in the sixth and seventh innings. She finished the game allowing 10 runs, seven earned, on nine hits. She struck out three.
- Taylor Kelly made her first appearance and issued a walk and recorded an out.
- Kylie Harpman (1-1) went the distance for the Rangers. She allowed 10 hits with four strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
The Desert Stinger continues on Saturday, February 12. The Gators take on Saint Martin's and host MSU Billings. Live stats for both games will both be provided by MSU Billings, and the game vs. the Yellowjackets will be streamed live on YouTube.
