SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Sonoma State softball team once again pulled out a postseason victory on Friday morning, defeating Northwest Nazarene 4-0 to advance to the regional title game on Saturday.  The Seawolves used a pair of first inning homeruns and a stellar pitching performance from Jesse DuPuis to improve to 42-16 on the season. 
 
The SSU lineup once again looked very different today with six starters unable to play and a number of players playing out of position.  All-Conference catcher Jordyn Martinez made her first ever start in the outfield, playing center while Lauren Mirtoni played first base for the first time.  Those two would provide an immediate spark for the Seawolves in the first inning, each sending solo shots over the wall for homeruns.  Martinez, the second batter of the game sent a blast well beyond on the left field fence for the first run of the game.  The homer was her 9^th of the season and 4^th of the postseason so far.  Two batters later, Mirtoni put one over the wall in left center for her second career longball. 
 
That would prove to be all DuPuis would need as she worked her way through the innings very efficiently.  She worked her way out of trouble in the second and then retired nine in a row to get to the sixth inning still leading 2-0.  The Nighthawks put two on in the sixth but DuPuis got the last two outs to end the inning and send the game to the seventh. 
 
Sonoma State would add a pair of insurance runs in the seventh.  Amari Houston led off with a bunt single and was sacrificed over to second by Carissa Marquez.  Gabby Hensley then reached on an infield single and Rylee Nishimoto followed with a single to load the bases.  Martinez then ripped a ball to third base that got past the fielder and scored two runs to make it 4-0. 
 
DuPuis closed the door from there, retiring three in a row after a lead off infield single to earn her 16^th victory of the season.  She allowed just five hits and struck out five in the complete game shutout. 
 
Martinez and Mirtoni delivered the big hits with Briana Avalos, Houston, Nishimoto and Hensley each picking up a base hit of their own. 
 
Sonoma State has now won 31 of their last 35 games and are on a six-game postseason winning streak.  They will wait to see who their opponent is for tomorrow's contest with first pitch set for 11:00 am.  Live video and stats available at ncaa.com and ccaanetwotk.com