Box Scores: SSU 2, #11 UCSD 1 | #11 UCSD 8, SSU 2

LA JOLLA, Calif- Down 1-0 in the seventh inning of game one, Ali Palermo connected on a two-run home run to give Sonoma State the 2-1 victory over 11th-ranked UC San Diego on Friday in La Jolla. The Tritons then came back in game two with a 8-2 win in the nightcap, forcing a split with the Seawolves in the battle of the CCAA's top two teams. SSU moves to 30-17 (20-10 CCAA) as UCSD goes to 30-9 (18-7 CCAA).

Sonoma State 2, #11 UC San Diego 1

After three and a half innings of scoreless softball, the nationally-ranked Tritons broke through with a run in the fourth on a RBI single, one of only two hits given up by SSU starter Samantha Lipperd in the game, both of which came in the fourth.

Lipperd's two-hit effort gave the Seawolves a chance to take control of the game, but it wasn't until the seventh when Palermo blasted the two-run shot to left field. It scored Vanessa Currie, who led off the inning with a single through the right side of the infield.

In the bottom of the seventh, Lipperd shut down the Triton offense in order, striking out the final two batters to seal the victory. It gave UCSD ace Camille Gaito (21-2) just her second loss of the season as she gave up six hits, two runs and walk. Gaito struckout eight.

Lipperd (19-6) gave up just the two hits and the one run. She walked five and struckout seven, almost matching Gaito's effort in the pitching circle.

#11 UC San Diego 8, Sonoma State 2

In game two, starter Julianne Martinez struggled early, walking two and allowing a hit to load the bases with one out. One batter later, the Tritons brought home a run, chasing J. Martinez from the game. UC San Diego then plated two more runs to take the early 3-0 lead.

The Seawolves came right back in the second inning to score two runs on back-to-back home runs by Brittanie Verissimo and Currie. However, UC San Diego plated three more runs in the third to take a 6-2 lead.

After getting runners on base in the fourth and fifth innings, including a bases loaded situation in the fifth, the Tritons pitching staff got out of the jam, leaving five SSU runners on base and preserving the four-run lead. UC San Diego brought home two more runs in the fifth to lead 8-2, and eventually cruised to the victory with Gaito on in relief in the final two innings.

J. Martinez (8-6) was tagged with the loss, allowing two hits and three runs. Lipperd and Ciara Becerril also saw action in the circle, as the two combined to give up seven hits and five runs in five and two-thirds innings.

Palermo led the way with two of the seven Sonoma State hits.

UC San Diego and Sonoma State, the No. 1 and 2 teams in the conference standings, respectively, will face off in a doubleheader on Saturday in La Jolla. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.