ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Shyrle Hawes hit a grand slam to lead Sonoma State to an 8-7 win over San Francisco State in game two of Saturday's CCAA doubleheader between the Seawolves and Gators. SF State held on for a 4-3 win in the opener as the team's split the twinbill and the series at two games apiece. SSU goes to 11-15, 5-9 CCAA while SF State is now 14-16, 10-8 CCAA.
San Francisco State set the tone in game one when leadoff hitter Vanessa Rodrigue homered to left field to lead off the game. SF State made it 3-0 when Allison Shirley doubled home a pair of runs later on in the inning. Sonoma State pulled to within one at 3-2 on a two-run single by Melissa Calvin in the third, but the Gators were quick to tack one more run on in the fourth, making the score 4-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, Sonoma State got three straight singles to lead things off and looked like they were headed towards a big inning, but the only production that would spring from the opportunity was a sac fly by Alex Winters. SSU went fairly quietly in the final three innings and the Gators were able to hold on for the win.
Rodrigue and Nicole Hartfield each had two hits for SF State. Vanessa Truan pitched the final 4.2 innings, striking out seven, to earn the victory in relief. Lindsay Emmel was charged with the loss for Sonoma State. The Seawolves got a couple of hits eachj from Claire Hiney and Britni Geary to lead their offensive attack.
In game two, SF State again opened things up with a couple of runs in the first inning. SSU was quick to tie it at 2-2 in the second before the Gators jumped back up with two more of their own in the third. Down 4-2, SSU finally put together the big inning that they'd been looking for. SSU got one run when Hiney doubled, then came around to score on an error following a sac bunt by Geary. After a fielder's choice, a single, a hit batsmen and a base on balls, Shyrle Hawes stepped to the plate with two outs and two runs already in. The Novato native hit a towering shot down the right field line that cleared the fence and the bases for her third home run and first grand slam of the year.
SF State made things tight in the fifth when Kristin Bartholomay pounded a bases loaded triple to make it 8-7, but Lindsay Emmel closed the door to give SSU a hard fought win.
Emmel was given credit for the win after a superb three inning relief performance. Starting pitcher Simone Brandalise went just three innings and Brittany Williams pitched a one-run fourth.
Hawes finished game two with a career-high five RBIs. Melissa Calvin scored a pair of runs and was the team leader with two hits. Bartholomay was 2-for-3 with three RBIs for SF State while Jordanna Freemer scored three runs.
Sonoma State will host Notre Dame de Namur in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Seawolf Diamond.
Game One Box
Game Two Box
