ROHNERT PARK -- Amanda Llerena fired a five-hit shutout and Alee Balanon went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, leading the Sonoma State softball team to a 5-0 victory in game one on Saturday before a Cal State San Marcos solo home run in the top of the sixth inning was the only run scored in the nightcap as the two teams split a doubleheader at the Seawolf Softball Field in Rohnert Park.

The Seawolves (14-11) hold on to fourth place in the CCAA standings with an 11-8 mark against conference opponents.  The Cougars remain in last place with records of 7-23 overall and 5-17 in the CCAA.

Balanon capped off an impressive weekend at the plate with her two hits in the opener, ending the weekend going 7 for 10 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and five stolen bases.  Llerena didn't allow a run in 13.1 innings of work, going 2-0, including Saturday's win. 

All five of Sonoma State's runs on Saturday came in the bottom of the second inning of game one.  It got started with Jordann White and Alison Strycula reaching base before Sarah Langley brought them home on a single to left.  Ally Bryant, who pinch ran for Langley, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Malory Masajlo, got to third on a Kristine Ricossa single, then scored when Cougars catcher Tayler Ybarra's attempt to throw Ricossa out at second sailed into the outfield.  Balanon delivered an RBI single to score Ricossa before Balanon came around on an RBI double by Carlie Daniel for the 5-0 advantage.

From then on, the Seawolf bats fell silent, recording just four hits in the final 11 innings of the day.  It wouldn't matter in game one as Llerena improved to 9-6 on the year and lowered her season ERA to 1.42.

In the series finale, Mayleen Mazon (1-5) held the Cougars to five hits and one run, but the one run held up to be the difference, a solo home run by Abby Allen that hit the top of the wall, just inside the left field foul pole before bouncing over for the 1-0 lead.

Sonoma threatened in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one out, but Cal State San Marcos starter Amanda Horbasch held strong to induce two consecutive fly outs to left field to end the game and earn the victory.  Horbasch allowed just three hits in her complete-game effort for the Cougars.  Strycula, Kaser and White accounted for the three SSU hits in the contest.

Sonoma State will now play 23 straight road games before coming back home to host Cal State Dominguez Hills on Apr. 22-23.  The long road trip will begin on Friday when the Seawolves go take on Cal State San Bernardino in San Bernardino.