SANTA ROSA, Calif. – The Sonoma State softball team showed off their power on Friday, blasting five homeruns in their first two games of the 2023 season.  The Seawolves defeated Saint Martin's 9-6 before falling to Academy of Art 7-2 in a five-inning contest that was called early due to darkness.
 
In the first game of the season, Sonoma State starter Bailee Reed worked her way out of the first with a big strikeout to end the frame.  Anna Zoia-Buescher got the offense going in the first plate appearance of the season, capping off a 12-pitch at-bat with a homerun to left field.  The score stayed at 1-0 into the third when the Seawolves got going again.  Zoia-Buescher reached on a bunt single and move to second on a slap by Rylee Nishimoto.  Giana Hays followed with a bunt single of her own to load the bases for Jordyn Martinez.  Martinez then delivered the big hit, ripping a grand slam over the left field fence for a 5-0 lead.
 
The Saints answered back in the top of the fourth, cutting the deficit to two with a three-run homer from Destiny Conerly to make it 5-3.  Saint Martin's got another one back fifth and then took the lead in the sixth with a pair of runs. 
 
Sonoma State did not waste anytime getting back on top with a big sixth inning.  Reagan Hunt got things started with a two-out solo homerun to tie the score at 6-6.  Zoia-Buescher followed with a double to the gap and came in to score on a single by Nishimoto.  Hays then delivered the final blow with a two-run shot over the left field fence for a 9-6 lead.  Reed closed the door from there retiring the final three batters she faced to pick up the victory. 
 
Reed finished with a complete game and struck out a career high nine batters.  Buescher finished the game 3 for 3 with a homer, double and three runs scored.  Nishimoto also went 3 for 3 with Hays and Martinez finishing with two hits and a homerun apiece. 
 
The second game did not go the Seawolves way as the Urban Knights grabbed an early lead with a run in the top of second off game two starter Nichole Sarra.  SSU answered back in the bottom of the second with Martinez getting things started with a double down the line.  Two batters later Courtney Jack rocked a two-run homerun for a 2-1 lead. 
 
Academy of Art grabbed the lead back in the top of the third with a two-run single by Katie Humphreys.  They would add four more runs in the fifth to push their advantage to five.  The Seawolves put a runner on in the bottom of the fifth but Kamielle Powell got the final out as the game was called due to darkness. 
 
The Seawolves will play two more tomorrow at Santa Rosa Junior College as they square off against Saint Martin's at 10:00 and Holy Names at 12:15 pm.  Live stats and video are available at sonomaseawolves.com.