ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Sonoma State softball team had a rough start to their conference schedule with a pair of losses to San Francisco State on Friday afternoon.  The Seawolves fell to the Gators 6-1 in the first game before dropping the second 5-3. 
 
Fresh off a five-game winning streak SSU looked to continue their run with CCAA play starting.  Both teams were able to push a run across in the first inning, each executing a double steal to score their first runs.  The Seawolves opened the bottom half of the first with two straight singles by Rylee Nishimoto and Cassidy Romano.  Nishimoto advanced to third on a flyout and would come into score on a double steal with Romano swiping second. 
 
SF State added another run in the top of the second on a squeeze bunt to take a 2-1 lead.  From there, the pitchers from both teams hit their stride, with neither allowing a run for five straight innings.  Seawolves starter Nichole Sarra retired seven straight across the second, third and fourth and pitched her way out of the fifth and sixth without any trouble.  SF State starter Kaitlyn Maddux was up to the task as well allowing just two hits over the final six innings. 
 
The Gators added four insurance runs in the top of seventh on four hits and one SSU error.  In the bottom of the seventh Lauren Mirtoni picked up a base hit for the Seawolves but Maddux retired the final two batters to end the game. 
 
Sarra went all seven innings for Sonoma, allowing six runs but only two of which were earned.  Nishimoto, Romano, Mirtoni and Natasha Ochoa picked up hits for the Seawolves.
 
The nightcap was close throughout with the Seawolves twice answering SFSU runs to tie the game.  The Gators opened the game with a run in the first inning off Camille Rodriguez but SSU answered back in the bottom of the second.  Skylar Linnane led off the inning with a single with Amari Houston coming in to pinch run.  Courtney Jack laid down a sacrifice bunt and Houston flew around second to take third on the play.  Two pitches later she came into score on a wild pitch to even things at 1-1. 
 
SF State regained the lead in the top of the third on a double by Haley Nugent.  Sonoma once again answered back to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the frame.  Ochoa ripped a double down the left field line and scored on Romano's triple off the right field wall.
 
Rodriguez got through the forth and was replaced in the fifth after allowing one base runner.  Jesse Dupuis came on in relief and allowed a run to score on a triple by Brylynn Vallegos.  Vallegos would later score on a single to make it 4-2 midway through the fifth. 
 
Sonoma State would cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the sixth after Jack led off with a single.  After a sacrifice bunt Reagan Hunt singled through the left side to put runners on the corner.  A couple pitches later a passed ball allowed pinch runner Briana Avalos to score and make it 4-3.  The Gators added an insurance run in the top of seventh before Lexi Holihan put the Seawolves out in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win. 
 
Rodriguez finished the game with two earned runs in four innings of work while Dupuis allowed one earned run in three innings.  Romano led the team with two hits including a triple. 
 
These two teams face off again tomorrow afternoon for another doubleheader at Seawolf Softball Field starting at noon.  Live stats and video available at www.sonomaseawolves.com.