ROHNERT PARK -- A five-run second inning gave the Sonoma State softball team a 5-0 shutout win in the opener, but visiting Chico State earned a 1-0 triumph in game two as the two squads split a pair of shutout victories on opening day in the CCAA Friday.  The 19th-ranked Seawolves move to 3-4 overall and the Wildcats to 4-2; both teams go to 1-1 in conference play.

Amanda Llerena (3-2) went the distance in both contests, allowing just one run on nine hits in 14 innings, striking out 10.

Sonoma State and Chico State return to the field for another doubleheader Saturday, starting at 12:00 pm.

GAME 1:  #19 Sonoma State 5, Chico State 0

With a scoreless tie entering the bottom of the second inning, Jena Kaser singled to open the frame before Kristine Ricossa came on to run for Kaser at first.  After Ricossa stole second base, she advanced to third on a groundout by Mayleen Mazon.  With two outs and Ricossa on third, Emma Ryan walked then Sarah Langley was hit by the pitch to load the bases. 

Olivia Lucchese ripped a single through the left side two pitches later to score Ricossa and give the Seawolves a 1-0 lead.  Alison Strycula followed with a two-run single to right field, then Alex Flores delivered a two-run triple also to right field to put SSU up big, 5-0.

From then on, Llerena and Chico State pitcher Haley Gilham (1-2) didn't allow a runner past second base, accounting for the 5-0 final in favor of the Seawolves.  Llerena surrendered just three base hits and one walk in the game one win.  Gilham allowed eight hits and one walk to Sonoma, striking out six in her six innings of work.

Strycula went 2 for 4 with a run and two RBI, Flores was 1 for 3 with her aforementioned triple and two RBI, and Lucchese put forth a 2 for 3 effort with her go-ahead RBI single in the second.

GAME 2:  Chico State 1, #19 Sonoma State 0

Llerena dueled against Chico's Brooke Langeloh in game two as neither of them allowed a run until the top of the fifth when the Wildcats finally broke through for a run against Llerena.  With one out and runners on first and second, leadoff hitter Ari Marsh doubled to right center, scoring Melanie Abzun for the 1-0 Chico State lead.  That would be all Llerena would allow, however.

The Seawolves wouldn't go away quietly, loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but Langelow was able to induce an inning-ending groundout to leave the bases jammed.

In their final at bat in the seventh, Sonoma put runners on first and second with one out on new pitcher Cheyenne Sandoval, but Chico right fielder Ari Marsh made a running catch in foul territory on a ball hit by Carlie Daniel, then threw out Strycula trying to advance to second, ending the ballgame.

Langeloh (3-0) gave up all three of SSU's hits in her six frames of work, walking four and striking out seven.  Sandoval earned her second save of the year after working a scoreless bottom of the seventh.

For the Seawolves, Llerena gave up six hits and two walks, striking out five, but allowed the single run in the fifth to take the loss.  Aubrie Tolliver, Emma Ryan and Alee Balanon each recorded a base hit (the only base hits) in game two.