ROHNERT PARK -- Jena Kaser smashed her second home run of the season in the first inning of game one, and it proved to be the difference in Sonoma State's 5-1 series-opening victory before visiting Cal State East Bay responded with a 4-3 win in game two as the two teams split Friday's doubleheader at the Seawolf Softball Field. 

Both teams move to 6-6 overall and 3-3 in the CCAA.

The Seawolves and Pioneers are back at it Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 am.

GAME 1:  Sonoma State 5, Cal State East Bay 1

Kaser drilled a 1-2 pitch and sent it deep over the left field fence to score Alison Strycula for the early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.  In the fourth inning, after Emma Ryan doubled for the second time in the contest, she was caught between second and third on a groundball hit to the shortstop, but the shortstop's throw to get Ryan out at third went sailing into the outfield, allowing Ryan to advance home for Sonoma's 3-0 lead.  Flores moved to second on the play, then stole third before coming home on a double by Sarah Langley for the 4-0 advantage.

The Seawolves padded their lead in the fifth with Carlie Daniel delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to score Jordann White.

Cal State East Bay made things interesting in the top of the sixth, getting a run across on an error by Strycula in center.  Then, the Pioneers loaded the bases with one out, but SSU's Brielle Vidmar, who came on for Amanda Llerena to start the frame, got a strikeout and a groundout to end the inning.  Both teams went 1-2-3 in their final at bats to settle for the final score of 5-1.

Ryan went 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles, Langley also had a double, going 1 for 3 at the plate.  Llerena got the victory after going the first five innings, giving up four hits and one walk, striking out just one.  Vidmar went the final two innings and gave up two hits, one unearned run and one walk with two strikeouts.

GAME 2:  Cal State East Bay 4, Sonoma State 3

The Pioneers broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third when two unearned runs came around to score off of Llerena.  The Seawolves countered by scoring a run in the fourth on an RBI double by Daniel, scoring Kristine Ricossa from first base, cutting the CSUEB lead in half, 2-1.

After Cal State East Bay brought home a run in the sixth, Leanna Georges came home on a defensive error by the Pioneers on a batted ball by Mayleen Mazon to again come within one run, but this time at 3-2.

In the seventh, the Pioneers again scored a run to take a 4-2 lead before the Seawolves put a rally together in their last at bat that fell just short of a comeback. Down by two, White stood on first base with two outs when Georges walked, putting runners on first and second.  Langley delivered an RBI single, scoring Lindsey Calcany Blair, who pinch-ran for White.  However, CSUEB held strong and got the final out of the game to secure the doubleheader split on Friday.

Langley led the way offensively, going 3 for 4 with an RBI, Georges went 2 for 3, White went 2 for 4 and Strycula was 2 for 3.  Llerena (5-3) got the loss after going the distance; she allowed four runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks, striking out three.