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Sonoma State University Athletics

Amanda Llerena

Softball by Tyler Lobe, Sports Information Director

Llerena Tosses Two Hitter In Opener, But Seawolves Split

Sophomore Amanda Llerena tossed a two-hit shutout in game one of Saturday's doubleheader.
BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 GAME 1: Sonoma State 3, Cal State East Bay 0 -- Box Score
GAME 2: Cal State East Bay 10, Sonoma State 8 -- Box Score

HAYWARD, Calif. -- Amanda Llerena earned her first complete-game shutout of the season, allowing just two hits, and Megan Konieczka hit her third home run of the season to help the Sonoma State to a 3-0 win over Cal State East Bay in the series opener on Saturday in Hayward.  The Seawolves (9-7, 3-7 CCAA), however, surrendered six runs to the Pioneers (5-9, 4-6 CCAA) in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two to lose 10-8 in the second game of Saturday's twinbill.

Konieczka extended her hitting streak to 12 games recording at least a hit in each of the games.  Llerena improved to 6-4 this season and lowered her earned run average to 1.60, the second-best ERA in the CCAA.  She struck out eight batters and the only other baserunner that reached by something other than a hit came by way of a hit by pitch.

While the Pioneer offense was held in check, the Seawolves took the 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a towering home run to left field.  Two more runs came across the plate in the sixth on a two-run home run by Holli Brown to also score Konieczka.  That's all Sonoma State would need to earn the 3-0 win.

In game two, the Seawolves put a run across the plate in five of the seven innings and eventually took an 8-4 lead after a couple of runs in the top of the seventh inning.  However, Cal State East Bay rallied for six runs in its last at bat, including a walkoff grand slam by Kelsey LaVaute to force a split with a come-from-behind 10-8 win over SSU.

The loss overshadowed the fact that Sonoma had a season-high 14 hits in the contest, including three from both Amanda Rossetta and Keeley Ray.  Keisi Chinen and Ancia Purdy each had a pair of hits, as well.

Melissa Smith (2-2) was tagged with the loss in game two; she started the game, but was replaced by Katy Bihl in the fifth.  Smith reentered the game with one out in the bottom of the seventh and before she could close out the game, she gave up the game-winning grand slam.

Sonoma State and Cal State East Bay will wrap up the four-game series on Sunday in Hayward with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 pm.