Rohnert Park – One run was the difference in both games of a doubleheader between the Humboldt State softball team and the No. 14 ranked Sonoma State Seawolves on Friday.  HSU won the nightcap 2-1, but fell in the opener 3-2 seriously damaging their hopes for postseason. 

With the split the HSU overall record is now 30-23, 19-15 in California Collegiate Athletic Association action.  The Seawolves are 38-13, 24-10 in conference play. 

HSU vs. SSU Game One Box Score
HSU vs. SSU Game Two Box Score

The Jacks now find themselves in sixth place in the CCAA with two games to go.  There are numerous scenarios, but essentially HSU has to sweep Sonoma State tomorrow and hope for help.

“We outplayed them all day,” head coach Frank Cheek said.  “We should have won both of these game, but the breaks didn't go our way in game one.”

Today's win marks the 21st consecutive season that a Humboldt State softball team, coached by Frank Cheek, has reached the 30-win plateau.

Through the first four innings of game two both teams had runners on base in each inning, but were unable to push any runs across.

In the top of the fifth the Jacks broke through.  Sammi Gilbert led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by pinch-hitter Erin Guidarelli.  A Lindsay Warren RBI double to center brought Gilbert home.  Nikki Ketteringham then singled to plate Warren and HSU had a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning HSU starter Vaneza Hoover set the Seawolves down in order for the first time in the game.  In the top of the sixth SSU starter Julianne Martinez did the same.

The bottom of the sixth saw Sonoma State get back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Hoover induced the next batter into a come-backer and started a 1-5-3 double play.  A walk put runners on first and second before a fielding error by Hoover loaded them up, but a foul out down the left field line ended the threat.

 HSU get two hits but no runs in the top of the seventh and as they went to the bottom of the inning the Jacks still clung to a 2-0 lead.

A fielding error in right, by Gia Hampton, and a walk opened the seventh for Sonoma State.  A wild pitch allowed the runners to advance one base.  And infield single then scored a run.  A hit batter loaded the bases with just one out.  A fly out to center wasn't deep enough to score a run and a strikeout ended the game with HSU earning a critical split

Hoover went the distance and picked up her 13th win of the season.  She gave up six hits and allowed three walks against seven strikeouts.  Her record is now 13-10.

In the opener the Jacks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

Chrissy Stalf got a two-out single ahead of a Kirsten Nouzovsky walk.  Felicia Viveiros the got a hit left to load the bases.  An error by Sonoma State shortstop Rochelle Vanyi on an Anna Feick grounder allowed Stalf to score and left the bases loaded.  Gia Hampton struck out to end the threat and the inning.

In the fourth Humboldt State added to its lead.

Lindsay Warren doubled to right with one out and a Sammi Gilbert single brought Warren home.  Gilbert tried to stretch the single into a double, but was cut down at second for the second out of the inning.  Nikki Ketteringham then doubled to center, but was stranded after a Geneva Perrine strikeout.  After three and a half innings HSU lead 2-0.

Starter Gracie Perez had a no-hitter going through the fourth allowing two walks, striking out three while not letting a ball get out of the infield.

In the bottom of the fifth Perez got the first two batters out, but a double followed by consecutive hit batsman loaded the bases.  Perez then threw an illegal pitch, that forced home a run and left two on.  An infield single from the next batter allowed the second run of the inning to score and the teams went to the sixth tied 2-2.

In the top of the sixth the Jacks had runners on first and second with one out, but a Gilbert fly out and Ketteringham groundout ended the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh the Seawolves had runners on second and third with one out.  Perez induced an infield pop up for the second out, but the next batter,Vanyi, laid down a suicide squeeze bunt.  The play worked to score the winning run.

In the circle, Perez pitched 6.2 innings and gave up three runs on four hits and three walks.  She struck out four as her record fell to 14-9 on the season.

For the day, Warren (3-for-6, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Gilbert (3-for-6, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Ketteringham (3-for-7, 1 RBI) led the HSU offense.  

The two teams wrap up the regular season tomorrow with a doubleheader.  First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will be available through the live stats feature on the Sonoma State athletics' web site.