SAN FRANCISCO – The No. 20 San Francisco State softball team settled for a series split on Saturday versus Chico State. In game one, Elise Roy spotted Chico State three runs in the first but the Gators scored nine unanswered runs to win 9-3. The Gators never led in the series finale and fell 8-2.
- SF State, which is ranked No. 20 in the NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, moves to 25-9 overall and 12-6 in CCAA action. The Wildcats are and 18-12 overall and 10-10 in conference play.
- The Gators' 14 hits in game one are tied for 15th most in a single game dating back to 2013. The Gators also had 14 hits in a February 8 win over Jessup. Conversely, the 16 hits surrendered in game two are tied for ninth most given up in a single game dating back to 2013.
- Rylee McDaniel and Kira Nilson had three-hit games in game one, and each had a stolen base. Guerrera had a three-hit game in game two. Marley Gonzales had a two-hit game in game one. Marissa Jordan had a pair of two-hit games.
- Kai DeLeon recorded two hits, bringing her career total to 192. She is four behind Courtney Gravel (2012-15), who is sixth all-time with 196.
- The Gators tallied four steals, which brings them to 72 for the season. That ties the 2024 squad for eighth most by a Gators team in a single season. Notably, Gonzales recorded the 65th of her career.
- Guerrera's RBI in game two gives her 89 on her career, passing Kelsey Wood (2008-11) for ninth all-time in program history with.
- SF State turned a pair of double plays in game two, which brings their season total to 20. That ties Sonoma State for most in the CCAA and the two teams are tied for second in NCAA Division II behind Emory & Henry's 23.
- Three different Wildcats had two or more hits in game one, led by Brianna Swihart with three.
- Five different Wildcats had two hits in game one. Marissa Anderson and Itzell De Los Rios both had three-hit games in game two for the Wildcats and four others recorded two-hit games.
Game 1
- The Wildcats sent all nine batters to the plate in the first inning. Their first four batters reached safely for an early 1-0 lead, then Hannah Levy made it 2-0 with a bases-loaded sac fly to right field. Three Gators converged on Itzell De Los Reyes' ball but it dropped in shallow left center to reload the bases. Roy got a strikeout looking but beaned her second batter of the inning to make it 3-0 before getting a lineout to Cardwell on her 43rd pitch.
- After stranding a pair in the bottom of the first, the Gators loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the second. A wild pitch allowed pinch runner Olivia Clavero to slide into home safely. Ashley Rocha worked a walk to reload the bases, then DeLeon bounced a single inside the third base bag to tie the game at 3-3.
- Jordan's double to the center field wall chased starter Amelie Valdez in the top of the third. Kira Nilson greeted Chloey Swenson with a single to put runners on the corners, and Lexi Holihan gave the Gators the lead with an RBI groundout. Rylee McDaniel lined a double into right field and the throw back into the infield skipped away, allowing McDaniel to take third. Ashley Rocha poked a single through the left side to bring McDaniel home and make it six unanswered runs.
- Holihan flashed the leather in the fourth. She threw Marley Escobar out from her knees, smothered a liner by Kennedy Gustin, and made the putout on a fielder's choice.
- In the bottom of the fourth, the Gators added three more runs, all with two outs. Cardwell had an infield single and scored on Jordan's double. Jordan doubled on Nilson's single back up the middle, then Nilson scored on Escobar's bobble at shortstop.
- The Wildcats scored two runs in the seventh, which chased Roy. Nia Trinidad came in and earned her first save.
- Elise Roy (9-4) reached 100 pitches in the fifth inning and finished with 137 pitches. She settled in after the first inning and ultimately allowed five runs on eight hits. She walked two and struck out four.
- Trinidad faced two batters and got both out on five total pitches for the save.
- Valdez (9-6) went two and a third innings. She allowed three runs on five hits. She walked a pair.
- Swenson was roughed up for five runs, three earned, and nine hits in three and two thirds innings. She walked one.
Game 2
- The Wildcats got on the board first again. With two outs in the second, Marissa Anderson, Italia Abrenica, Kennedy Gustin, and Swihart combined for four straight hits and a 3-0 Wildcats lead.
- The Gators loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half of the third but left them loaded.
- SF State got a couple of runs back in the third. Gonzales singled, moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, and came home on Guerrera's RBI single. Smart baserunning by Guerrera got her to second base on the throw, then she moved to third on a Cardwell groundout. Jordan laid down a sacrifice bunt and Guerrera came home to score. However, the rally was cut short when Jordan was ruled out for interference after colliding with the first baseman Anderson. The umpires huddled up to discuss the call but after much deliberation the call went in favor of the Wildcats. Instead of one on and one out for the Gators, the Wildcats escaped the inning, and with it grabbed the momentum.
- Chico State wasted little time extending the lead back to three. Gracie Dunning hit an RBI double off the right field fence and Aiyana Curry hit into a 435 double play but a run scored before the double play ended the fourth inning.
- The Wildcats chased Gators starter Mari Takeda Bajan in the sixth with hits from Gustin and Dunning. Trinidad came on in relief but gave up back-to-back-to-back RBI singles to Curry, Levy, and De Los Rios.
- Takeda Bajan went five and a third innings. She was charged with seven runs on 11 hits, walked three, and struck out four.
- Trinidad allowed a run on there hits in two thirds of relief.
- Kharime Caratachea came pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two hits and a strikeout.
- Lefty Bella Tavares (6-2) allowed 10 hits but just two runs. She walked two and struck out three.
The Gators now head to Cal State Dominguez Hills for a four-game series on March 28 and 29. The series will be broadcast on
flocollege.com and live stats will be available at
sfstategators.com.
