IRVINE, Calif. — The San Francisco State softball team won both of its games on day two of the Concordia Kickoff Classic at Orange County Great Park. The Gators bested Colorado Christian 3-1 and topped host Concordia 4-1.
- The Gators, who were picked to finish sixth in the CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll, move to 3-1 on the young season. Colorado Christian (2-1) was picked to finish second in the 12-team RMAC. Concordia (2-1) was picked to lead the PacWest yet again in 2025 and seeks to capture its fourth consecutive regular season PacWest title.
- Marley Gonzales went 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI, and a pair of stolen bases versus CCU.
- Versus the host Golden Eagles, Kai DeLeon went 2-for-4 with a run, and a stolen base. She already has five stolen bases, giving her 52 for her career. She is currently seventh on the program's all-time leader list, and just two behind Vanessa Rodrigue (2004-07).
- Kira Nilson went 2-for-3 with a run versus Concordia.
- Gators pitchers Elise Roy and Mari Takeda Bajan combined to allow just a pair of runs in Saturday's games. Through four games, the team ERA stands at 1.66.
- The Gators defense turned a double play in each game.
Game One
- SF State went ahead in the first inning and never gave up the lead. Kai DeLeon worked a full-count walk and Gonzales followed with an RBI double down the left field line. Gonzales stole third and scored on Daniella Guerrera's bunt single to make it 2-0.
- CCU scored its only run in the third inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Roy got a ground ball and second baseman Rylee McDaniel threw home for the force play. Rachel Williams hit a sacrifice fly to left field that plated a run but the Gators ended the threat when Kira Nilson threw back into the infield to get Sarah Dollerschell out trying to tag from second to third.
- The Gators added an insurance run in the sixth inning. McDaniel ripped a one-out triple down the right field line and scored on Marissa Jordan's bunt single.
- Roy (1-0) was solid in her sophomore debut. She tossed a complete game and allowed one run on five hits. She walked two batters and struck out a pair.
- Kaila Eastburn (1-1), who was named to the RMAC Preseason Watch List, tossed six innings. She gave up three runs on six hits over six innings of work. She struck out six and walked two.
Game Two
- The Gators struck first. With runners on second and third with one out, Isabel Tellez chopped a ball to first. Shelli Faulk shoveled the ball home but Kira Nilson avoided the tag.
- SF State opened things up in the fifth. Ashley Rocha started the inning with a bases-loaded walk, DeLeon singled up the middle, then Gonzales battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a 10-pitch walk that loaded the bases. That chased starter Kira Morris and reliever Kacie Gossett hit Guerrera with her second pitch to make it 2-0. DeLeon and Gonzales both scored on a pair of passed balls to make it 4-0.
- Concordia got a run back in the bottom half of the fifth. Shelli Faulk led off with a triple and scored on Gabby Villa's RBI single to center but the defense picked up Takeda Bajan with an inning-ending double play. Nilson caught a foul ball, then made the throw to double off pinch runner Alexa Couto.
- Takeda Bajan (2-0) scattered seven hits over seven innings with one earned run. She walked two and struck out a pair.
- Morris (0-1) lasted four innings. She was charged with all four runs, two earned. She gave up five hits, walked two, and recorded one strikeout.
- Gossett struck out four batters in three innings of relief.
The Concordia Kickoff Classic concludes on Sunday, February 2. SF State faces Vanguard at 8:30 a.m.
