CHICO, Calif- Janelle Arnold hit the eventual game-winning two-run home run in the seventh inning of the opener and Samantha Lipperd dominated in the pitching circle in game two, helping the Sonoma State softball team sweep Northern California rival Chico State on Friday afternoon, 7-5 and 4-0. The Seawolves, who are off to their best start in school history and ranked 21st in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll, improves to 20-5 overall and 15-3 in the CCAA. The Wildcats fall even at 11-11 and 8-10 in conference play.

The Seawolves didn't waste any time putting a run up on the scoreboard on Friday, as Kayla Ledford hit a two-out bases loaded single up the middle that scored Ashley Britton. However, the scoring was short-lived as host Chico State held the Seawolves off the scoreboard until the fifth inning.

Between that time, the Wildcats scored two runs in the second and three runs in the fourth to take a huge 5-1 lead.

Leaders of the CCAA and ranked in the nation for a reason, Sonoma State made a monumental comeback in the top of the fifth inning. Ledford knocked in another run on a single down the right field line scoring Danielle Lowe. Skylynn Myers then came up and brought home Simone Brandalise, closing the Chico lead to 5-3. After loading the bases and a subsequent Wildcat pitching change, Arnold brought home a run after being hit by the pitch. LeeAnn Stroud also got pluncked, bringing home another Seawolf run, tying the ballgame at 5-5.

Starting pitcher Julianne Martinez settled down in the final three innings, getting the last nine outs by facing only 10 batters. Martinez earned the victory, improving to 9-3 after giving up seven hits, five runs (three earned), walking three and striking out six.

It was in the top of the seventh inning, though, that the Seawolves finished their come-from-behind attempt, thanks to the two-run shot to left field by Arnold that brought home Rochelle Vanyi to nab the victory.

In the nightcap, Lipperd pitched lights-out as she went the distance for Sonoma State, allowing just three hits and no runs, walking two and striking out five.

As she controlled the game from within the circle, Ali Palermo notched a RBI single in the top of the first inning and Stroud brought home a run in the second for the early 2-0 lead.

Simone Brandalise got in on the RBI party, doubling home Arnold in the top of the fifth and Palermo scored Brandalise on a single up the middle.

Palermo and Vanyi had two hits each to pace the Seawolves to their 20th victory already this season.

Sonoma State will look to continue its hot streak tomorrow afternoon when the Seawolves wrap up their four-game series in a twinbill with Chico State, beginning at Noon.

Box Scores:
#21 Sonoma State 7, Chico State 5
#21 Sonoma State 4, Chico State 0