BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 Box Scores:  Game One | Game Two
Archived Audio Broadcasts:  Game One | Game Two

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Thanks to a 12-strikeout performance by Samantha Lipperd and a two-RBI bases-loaded single in the bottom of the sixth inning by Ali Palermo, the Sonoma State softball team extended its winning streak to eight games, continuing its best start in school history, with a 2-1 win over Cal State Monterey Bay in Friday's CCAA-opener.  However, the streak would halt after game two, as the Otters came away with a narrow 3-2 win in the nightcap to force the doubleheader split with the Seawolves on Friday at the Seawolf Softball Field.

SSU moves to 8-1 this season and opens the conference schedule at 1-1.  CSUMB goes to 9-3 overall and also sports a 1-1 record in the CCAA.

Game One: Sonoma State 2, Cal State Monterey Bay 1 (box score)

It was a complete pitcher's duel from the start of game one, all the way through to game two.  Both teams had scored a combined 138 runs this season, including a combined 21 home runs, up until Friday's doubleheader.

From start to finish Cal State Monterey Bay's starter Cori Reinhardt and Sonoma State's Lipperd allowed just five hits until the sixth inning, four of which came off the bats of the Seawolves.  However, with just one hit all day, it was the Otters that struck first in the top of the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with one out.  Lipperd struck out Angelina Orozco for the second out, but a wild pitch allowed CSUMB's Nina Villanueva to score the game's first run.  It would be all that they would get, as Danielle Onken flew out to Vanessa Currie in left field.

In Sonoma State's half of the sixth inning, Skylynn Myers got aboard on a one-out double down the left field line and after a walk to Samantha Lepp and another walk to Shannon Kehr, the bases were loaded for Palermo.  Palermo poked a 1-1 pitch into shallow right field, dropping the ball in front of Orozco.  Meanwhile, Myers scored from third base and Lepp came all the way home from second base, putting the Seawolves on top 2-1.

It would be all Lipperd would need.  Despite giving up a two-out single, Lipperd closed the door, striking out Stevie Trevino to end the game.  It would be Lipperd's 12th strikeout of the game, and the 506th of her career.  She improves to 6-0 this season

Palermo finished going 2 for 3 at the plate with the aforementioned pair of RBIs,  Lepp, Myers, D'Eccliss and Ancia Purdy all got a hit for the Seawolves, as well.

Reinhardt (4-1) suffered her first loss of the season, giving up six hits and the two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning; she walked five and struckout three.  Offensively, the Otters got just four hits by four different players -- Jamie Moon, Villanueva, Reinhardt and Orozco -- in the opener.

Game Two: Cal State Monterey Bay 3, Sonoma State 2 (box score)

It was Sonoma State to get on the scoreboard first in game two, but not until the third inning.  After two outs and a walk to Holli Brown, Brown moved from first to third on an infield single to third base by D'Eccliss (the throw across the infield to try and get D'Eccliss out allowed Brown the extra base).  Then, Brown came walking home after D'Eccliss stole second.  The throw by CSUMB catcher Nicole Pires to get D'Eccliss went sailing into center field as no Otters were there to cover.

The lead would be shortlived, however, as Cal State Monterey Bay got its leadoff hitter on base, thanks to a fielding error by Ciara Becerril, as she tried to make the play on Moon at first base.  After forcing a flyout by Jackie Serna, Reinhardt delivered an RBI double to center field, which allowed Moon to score from first and the game would be knotted at 1-1.

in the top half of the sixth, after a single by Moon with one out, Serna connected on a 3-2 pitch and smashed it beyond the left center field fence, giving the Otters the 3-1 lead.

The Seawolves would make a comeback in their half of the sixth, getting a pair of singles from Samantha Beauchamp and Palermo with one out.  With Kehr and Jayme Tickemyer coming in to pinch run for Beauchamp and Palermo, Megan Konieczka put down a bunt at home plate, but Kylie Linnane's fielding attempt to try and get Kehr out at home failed and Kehr closed the gap to 3-2.  But, Tickemyer rounded second and tried for third base on the play, but was thrown out, leaving only a runner on first base with now two outs.  CSUMB got out of the inning on the next batter, as Linnane struckout Brown the end the sixth.

Becerril retired the Otters in order in the seventh and D'Eccliss gave Sonoma State some life in its half of the seventh with a single to right field, but Linnane closed it down, forcing a Currie fly out and a Myers groundout to end the game.

Linnane (3-0) allowed seven Seawolf hits in the nightcap, while walking two and striking out three.  Reinhardt went 3 for 3 with an RBI and Serna delivered the two-run home run in the sixth that eventually became the game-winner.

Becerril (2-1) scattered eight hits and gave up three runs (two earned) and struckout one.  D'Eccliss went 3 for 4 and Beauchamp went 2 for 2.

Sonoma State and Cal State Monterey Bay will wrap up the four-game series on Saturday when the two squads get together one more time for a doubleheader at the Seawolf Softball Field, starting at Noon.