The entire SF State softball team and cheering section were on their feet and yelling at the top of their lungs, as the winning run crossed the plate, in an extra-inning win over the Cal State Stanislaus Warriors, 3-2.
The Gators swept the Warriors in a doubleheader, with dominant pitching and timely hits. Sophomore starting pitcher Emily Gibson threw a complete nine innings and then added three more innings to that, as the game headed to extra innings.
Offense was on the Gators side today, as they got 11 hits off the visiting Warriors. A couple of key hits, including the one from Courtney Gravel, who got the game winning hit that pushed the Gators to victory.
“I thought we were very persistent today,” said Gibson. “For us as a team, we played a lot better and we just knew.”
With momentum on their side after winning their first game, the Gators took advantage of some early pitching mistakes from the Warriors. The Gators scored in every inning except one, in a short five-inning second game, winning 8-0.
Starting pitcher Megan Clark completely shut out the Warriors, allowing only three hits the entire game. Not only did Clark pitch a complete game, but also helped her own cause and hit 3-3, to finish with a career high in batting average.
“There is always one piece of puzzle missing,” said Clark. “But yeah it was awesome being able to go out and hit.”
Playing their 10th doubleheader in a row, the Gators found a way to get used to the long days on the softball field. According to head coach Cristina Byrne, keeping the players focused is key.
“We keep them focused and then refocus again for the second one,” said Byrne. “We do this by setting game one down and picking up the next.”
The Gators moved up to the eighth spot in the CCAA, breaking their seven-game losing streak. They will host the Chico State Wildcats in a doubleheader March 21.
