The Warriors hosted the San Francisco State University (SFSU) Gators April 3. The Warriors were able to rally late in both games to take the W’s with scores of 3-1 and 5-3.
CSU Stanislaus last played the Gators on March 29 during their annual Tournament of Champions. The Warriors continued their winning streak to three games as they look forward to taking two more wins from the Gators.
After taking the lead in the sixth inning, the Gators thought they had enough to keep the Warriors under control for two innings. But the Warriors did not back down in the bottom of the sixth- scoring 3 runs. Sophomore Cassidy Duke struck first with a leadoff triple in the right center gap. Senior Holly Mooring hit into a fielder’s choice scoring Duke. Angela Mendoza (senior) entered the game to run for Mooring.
Senior Jessica Varady stepped up to the plate and knocked a single. With runners in scoring position, Sophomore Deenah San Luis doubled to score Mendoza and Varady to take the lead to 3-1. To lead the Warriors offensively, speedster Nicolette Vizcaino went 2-3 and Natalie Dorsey muscled two hits on the first winning game. Defensively, Varady struck out seven and gave up one unearned run in the sixth.
The Warriors entered game two ready to win. In the second inning they jumped on the Gators scoring three runs. The Gators quickly answered back to tie the game 3-3. Sophomore Karina Callazo struck out six in three innings and received a no decision for game two. Junior Cheyenne Harper came out strong to help her teammates out in relief for Callazo. She threw four shutout innings and only gave up two hits.
Harper let her defense and offense work for her as the Warriors rallied in the fifth inning which included three extra-base hits. Vizcaino led off the inning with a double down the third base line. She was able to score on Mooring’s double to right-center field and Mendoza was put in to pinch run. Following Mooring’s double, Freshmen Alex Rowell tripled to score Mendoza to take the lead to 5-3. The Warriors were able to hold strong for one more inning to take another win- sweeping the Gators.
The second half of this series starts Saturday, April 4 at 12 p.m. The Warriors hope to keep the momentum rolling for Saturday as they are looking to reach their first CCAA series sweep since 2011 against Cal State East Bay.