TURLOCK, Calif. — The San Francisco State softball team split its first two games at Stanislaus State on Friday night at Warrior Softball Field. The Gators blew the lead in a 7-6 loss but held on for a 2-1 win in the nightcap.
- SF State moves to 11-9 overall and 6-4 in CCAA action while the Warriors are now 4-11 overall and 2-8 in CCAA action.
- The Gators racked up eight more stolen bases, bringing their nation-leading total to 75.
- Brylynn Vallejos went 1-for-5 but walked three times, scored three runs, drove in a run, and had three stolen bases.
- Kai DeLeon went 2-for-6 with a run scored.
GAME ONE
- The Gators jumped out to a 4-0 lead. A Warriors fielding error allowed the Gators to score in the first, then SF State took control thanks to three Warriors errors that resulted in a three-run second for the Gators. Teya Vincent singled and moved into scoring on a sac bunt, and moved up another 60 feet on Kira Nilson's single. Nilson stole second and Vincent was able to score thanks to an errant throw. Another error allowed Vallejos to reach safely and Nilson scored, then Vallejos was part of a successful double steal. An errant throw on the play also allowed her to score.
- Stan State got a run back in the bottom of the third with three consecutive singles, all with two outs.
- Vallejos walked to lead off the fifth, stole second, and later scored on Dani Guerrera's RBI double to right field to make it 5-1.
- However, Stan State answered in the bottom half of the fifth. A couple of doubles made it 5-2.
- The Gators pushed the lead back to four in the top of the seventh on Sydney Jenkin's RBI single but stranded a pair.
- That proved crucial as the Warriors exploded for five runs to win it in the bottom of the seventh. A four-pitch leadoff walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases, and a sac fly pulled the Warriors back to within three. The Warriors recorded three more consecutive singles to pull within a run, then tied it on a fielder's choice where everyone was safe, and won the game on another fielder's choice.
- Kaitlyn Maddux (5-6) took another tough loss to her name. She struck out four in a complete-game effort but six of the seven runs were earned.
- Delaney Pamplin (3-2) turned in a complete-game effort as well but just three of her six runs were earned.
GAME TWO
- The Gators scored twice in the third inning. Halle Nugent led off with a single, Kai DeLeon reached on an error, Vallejos walked, and Lehua DeLeon drove in a run with a sharp single past the pitcher into center field. Center fielder Melissa Spencer overran the ball, which allowed Kai DeLeon to continue on to score from third.
- The Warriors got a run back in the bottom half of the inning thanks to three consecutive singles.
- In the sixth, Stan State threatened thanks to an error and hit by pitch but pitcher Lexi Holihan got a fly ball and a popup to end the threat. Nilson and Kai DeLeon both singled in the seventh but the Gators failed to drive in an insurance run. Holihan set the Warriors down in the bottom of the seventh for the win.
- Holihan (4-1) allowed one run on five hits in her third complete game of the season. She also recorded three strikeouts.
- Victoria Alcaron (0-3) was chased after running into trouble in the third. Kyndra Marzorini struck out five in four scoreless innings of relief.
The four-game series wraps up with another doubleheader on Saturday, March 5 beginning at noon. The games will be broadcast on the CCAA Network with live stats available at sfstategators.com.
