SAN FRANCISCO – The No. 21 San Francisco State softball team split Friday's doubleheader with No. 13 Cal State East Bay. An error proved costly as the Gators fell 5-1 in the opener before taking game two 1-0.
- SF State, which is ranked No. 21 in the NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, moves to 27-13 overall and 14-10 in CCAA action. The first-place Pioneers, ranked No. 19 in the Top 25 Coaches Poll, moves to 31-8 overall and 19-7 in conference play.
- Senior Mari Takeda Bajan notched her 11th win of the season and faced just 23 batters in a two-hit shutout.
- Daniella Guerrera's second home run of the season was the difference in game two. Guerrera now has 94 RBI, which passes Kendra Wood (2008-11) for eighth all time in program history. She now has 10 career home runs, which moves her into a three-way tie for tenth all-time.
- The first pitch she saw, Kai DeLeon connected for her 200th career single. She had three hits on the day and now has 202, which passes Karolyn Gubbine (2007-10) for fifth all-time in program history. Defensively, DeLeon had seven assists. She is second all-time and recenlty passed Athletics Hall of Famer Vanessa Rodrigue (2004-07).
- The Gators turned three double plays on the day. The Gators' 24 are second most in the CCAA behind Sonoma State's 29, which leads all of NCAA Division II.
- Rylee McDaniel was hit by a pitch for the 12th time this season, which is fourth most among CCAA players.
Game 1
- After turning a double play in the top half of the second inning, the Gators got on the board first. Marissa Jordan and Kira Nilson both singled, and Lexi Holihan drew a four-pitch walk that loaded the bases. After a coaching visit to the circle, Jordan reached on a wild pitch. However, the Gators were unable to add on.
- The Gators failed to take advantage of a two-out rally in the third, and the Pioneers tied the game in the top of the fourth. Ashlee Toy doubled, Annelise Garcia singled, and Cynthia Carrillo's sac fly tied the game.
- SF State recorded a pair of outs in the fifth but Elise Roy was unable to snag a comeback single, then walked Toy to load the bases. Garcia hit the ball in the infield but Cardwell was unable to field the ball cleanly and the tying run came in to score for the 2-1 Pioneers lead. Carrillo drew a bases-loaded walk for another run, then Toy scored on a wild pitch, and Jenna Porto placed a single that died on the infield for a 5-1 CSUEB lead.
- DeLeon and Marley Gonzales drew back-to-back walks.
- Roy (11-6) went five innings. She allowed seven hits, walked three, and struck out a pair.
- Kharime Caratachea allowed two hits and struck out 1.
- Marissa Quintero went the distance with a four-hit victory for the Pioneers.
Game 2
- Guerrera's home run to left field with two outs in the bottom of the first was the difference.
- Takeda Bajan didn't allow a baserunner until the fourth inning when she issued a leadoff walk to Toy. However, a fielder's choice and double play erased any threat.
- CSUEB threatened in the fifth with two one and one out but Takeda Bajan got a foulout and groundout to keep the Pioneers from scoring.
- Takeda Bajan outdueled Toy in game two. Both pitchers faced 23 batters, struck out four, and walked one. Toy gave up three hits but needed 92 pitches. Takeda Bajan was extremely efficient and needed just 71 pitches for the complete-game shutout, and finished it with a strikeout looking of Porto.
The Gators and Pioneers meet again on Saturday, April 12 for a Noon doubleheader. The games will be broadcast on
FloCollege. Live stats will be available at
sfstategators.com and tickets are now on sale at
sfstategators.com/tickets.
