ARCATA, Calif. -- Keeley Ray went 7 for 8 with a double, triple, a stolen base, an RBI and five runs scored and
Amanda Llerena earned a complete-game win in the opener and a save in the nightcap, leading the 20th-ranked Sonoma State softball team to a sweep of host Humboldt State on Friday in Arcata with scores of 7-5 and 9-7.
With the victories and two losses by Cal State Monterey Bay at Chico State on Friday, the Seawolves return to the top of the CCAA standings with a 14-3 record in conference play (22-5 overall). The Lumberjacks fell to 19-10 (12-6 CCAA).
In the opener with the game tied at 4-4 going into the seventh inning, the Seawolves pounded out three runs on a two-RBI double by
Carlie Daniel and on a defensive error allowing
Taylor Batey to score for the 7-4 lead. The Lumberjacks made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh, scoring a run to come within two runs at 7-5 and had two runners in scoring position with just one out. However, Llerena buckled down and struckout the final two batters to close the game and earn the win.
Ray led the way with a perfect 4 for 4 effort at the plate with a triple and three runs scored.
Amanda Rossetta smacked a two-run home run in the fifth. Llerena (14-3) allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks, but struckout seven.
In the nightcap, a five-run fourth inning gave Sonoma State a 7-1 lead at the time, but a run in the fifth inning proved to be crucial as the visitors held on for the 9-7 win in the end. It was a home run derby in game two as five hits left the park on the fly, including blasts off the bat of Batey,
Holli Brown and
Karly Macadangdang. Ray continued to wreak havoc on Humboldt State pitching, going 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI and two runs scored.
Ancia Purdy also had three hits, followed by two hits from
Alison Strycula, Batey and Brown.
Three SSU pitchers saw time in the circle --
Mayleen Mazon (6-2) got the win, going the first 4.1 innings before giving way to
Gabby Dupree for an inning and Llerena for the final 1.2 innnings. Llerena got her second save of the season.
Sonoma State will wrap up its four-game series in Arcata with a doubleheader against Humboldt State starting at 11:00 am.
