IRVINE, Calif. - The San Francisco State softball team opened its season at the Concordia Kick-off Classic. They fell to Biola 10-2 in the first game and fell behind in the sixth inning in a 5-2 loss in game two to Concordia University Irvine.

 

By the Numbers

 
 

• Both Biola and CUI played in West Regional last season. Concordia narrowly beat Biola for first in the Pac West preseason poll.
• Olivia Mares had three hits on the day and swiped four games including three against the Golden Eagles.
• Kate Nelson had the lone extra base hit on the day, a double against CUI.
• The Gators allowed a combined 18 hits between the two games.
• SF State only had one walk in each game.

How It Happened - Biola

Olivia Mares singled up the middle on her first at bat, stole second and advanced to third on a sharp single to second by Malia Morreira. Shaunessy Cardwell struck out on the next at bat but a poor throw from the catcher on the double steal allowed Mares to come home. Anyssa Luttig singled up the middle with runners in scoring position, bringing a pair home. Biola put up six runs in the third with three of them coming from a bases clearing double from Lizzie Byer. Biola scored up another four runs in the fourth inning to get into run-rule territory. The Gators only recorded one more hit through the next two innings.

 

In the Circle

 
 

• Alexis Perez (0-1) made her debut in the circle, going 3.2 innings. She gave up 10 hits and 10 runs, nine earned.
• Tori Hernandez pitched 1.1 in relief, giving up one walk while striking out one batter.
• DJ Symons (1-0) pitched all five innings, struck out four and gave up four hits.

 

How it Happened - CUI

 


Mares reached first on an error by the short stop and stole second after the first at bat. She advanced to third on a ground out. Cardwell laid down a bunt and Concordia's catcher could not tag Mares coming home. Concordia opened the bottom of the third with a single and advanced the runner on a sac bunt. A single up the middle tied the game up at 1-1. Taylor Wilson singled in the top of the fourth and got herself into scoring position by stealing second. Nelson hit the ball into right center to plate Wilson and regain the lead. In the bottom of the sixth, CUI had a runner on with no outs. They laid down a bunt that popped up but the Gators mishandled the play, allowing the runner to reach first safely. Concordia continued to play small ball in the sixth and added four more runs. The Gators got two runners on in the top of the seventh but could not advance them home.

In the Circle

 
 

• Kharime Caratachea (0-1) gave up eight hits and five runs but only one runs was earned. She struck out five batters.
• Gossett (1-0) tossed six strikeouts and gave up two runs, one earned.

Up Next

 The Gators play Hawaii Hilo at 8:30 am to start the day on January 31 before closing it out with #3 Western Washington at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available at sfstategators.com.