ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Another day of solid pitching performances by freshmen Julianne Martinez and Samantha Lipperd helped Sonoma State sweep a huge doubleheader on Sunday over 18th-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay, 3-0 and 6-4, vaulting the Seawolves into sole possession of first place in the CCAA. With the victories, Sonoma State improves to 18-5 overall and 13-3 in the conference. The Otters fell to 13-7 and 11-5.

Coming off a narrow 1-0 loss in Saturday's first game, Martinez (8-3) bounced right back in the opening game on Sunday, pitching a complete game shutout while allowing just three hits, one walk and striking out five. She got some run support on Sunday, starting with a RBI single by Janelle Arnold that brought in Danielle D'Eccliss, who tripled to lead off the third inning.

In the Seawolves' next offensive opportunity, Ali Palermo scored from second base on a single by Skylynn Myers to give Martinez a comfortable 2-0 lead. Sonoma State then added another run in the sixth when D'Eccliss brought home Rochelle Vanyi with a bases loaded single.

Martinez got some help on defense in the seventh after hitting Cat Sampson to lead off the inning. She forced Amanda Guzman to line into a double play by Ashley Britton, who threw over to Arnold at first to get the putout on Sampson. Then, Ortiz grounded out to Martinez, ending the game and giving the Seawolves the 3-0 win. D'Eccliss went 2-for-3 in the game with the aforementioned RBI in the sixth inning.

In game two, the Otters came out swinging on all cylinders, making sure they wouldn't be shutout. Cal State Monterey Bay scored two runs on two hits and an error in just the first six pitches of the nightcap, including a two run home run by Niki Ames that hit the left field foul pole, just above the home run line.

Lipperd settled down after that, allowing just two more hits through five innings of play. Meanwhile, Sonoma State bounced right back to score three runs in the bottom half of the second inning on a hit and an error. Simone Brandalise came home for the first run of the game after a throwing error by the shortstop, trying to get the force out on Brandalise at third base. When she advanced home, Palermo and Vanyi stood on second and third with no outs. Palermo and Vanyi later scored on a sacrifice fly by Myers and a D'Eccliss single to center field.

The Seawolves added one in the third when LeeAnn Stroud scored on a Britton single. The Otters, though, got to within one run at 4-3 in the sixth when Shea Olds hit a RBI double, scoring Sampson.

It would be as close as Cal State Monterey Bay would get, however, as Ledford and Myers came up big with RBI singles, giving Sonoma State the 6-3 lead.

Martinez would relieve Lipperd in the seventh for the save opportunity, but ran into some trouble. Marisa Trujillo knocked in a run with a single through the right side and the Otters would have runners at the corners with just one out. Martinez would then work out of the jam, striking out Amanda Guzman and forcing Sampson to foul out to Britton to end the ballgame and complete the Sunday sweep. Martinez got her first save of the season and Lipperd notched her 10th win this season, improving to 10-1.

D'Eccliss and Ledford led the way for the Seawolves in the twinbill, recording three hits.

Sonoma State will hit the road next weekend to take on Chico State on Friday (1 p.m.) and Saturday (Noon).

Box Scores:
Sonoma State 3, #18 Cal State Monterey Bay 0
Sonoma State 6, #18 Cal State Monterey Bay 4