The 12th ranked SF State Gators split a non-conference doubleheader against the Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans on Wednesday afternoon, ending the Gators’ four-game winning streak.

In a game that needed extra innings, the Gators prevailed 4-3 in the first game behind the steady pitching of juniors Holly Pearce and Sonja Garnett. Pearce started the game, tossing four solid innings and giving up two earned runs.

The Gators (21-9, 13-3 CCAA) were the first to get a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning when senior Chrissy Hildebrandt drove in sophomore second basemen Vanessa Rodrigue with a single down the right field line.

The Vulcans answered back the next inning, tying the game with a run scoring single from outfielder Zoie Sevilla. In the bottom of the third, the Gators regained the lead after sophomore shortstop Kristin Bartholamay doubled, scoring sophomore third baseman Nicole Hartfield.

But, the Vulcans would not go away. The Vulcans fought back to tie the game and take their first lead in the fourth when outfielder Chelsea Osborne singled in a run and later scored on an error by Gator outfielder Lauren Dowell.

“They took advantage of my mistakes,” Pearce said. “They got a lot of strong hits when they needed them.”

Down a run, it was the Gators' turn to answer back. Junior catcher Mary Cunnie opened the fourth inning with a single. With two outs and Cunnie in scoring position, the Gators were looking for a big hit and got it when Hartfield singled up the middle, scoring Cunnie and tying the game, 3-3.

To start the fifth inning, the Gators turned to Garnett. She continued her season-long dominance by pitching four shutout innings and giving up three hits.

Nichole Ramirez started the bottom of the eighth inning with a double to a gap in left-center field. The Gators capitalized on a throwing error to first by Vulcans third baseman Lisa Jackson. After being held at third base by Jackson, Ramirez saw the errant throw and ran hard to home on a heads-up play, scoring the winning run.

Garnett (16-3) recorded the victory earning her 14th consecutive win. The second game featured a pitching duel between Garnett and undefeated freshmen pitcher Britni Rodriguez.

Rodriguez (6-0) continued her first-year success, throwing a two-hit shutout and recording six strikeouts. She did not give up a hit until the fifth inning when Bartholamay singled to left center.

“Plain and simple we just didn’t hit,” Ramirez said. “We didn’t play to the level that we are capable of.”
Garnett was not as sharp and dominant as she had been in the first game. She gave up seven hits, four walks and hit a batter, but still managed to only give up one earned run in seven innings.

“The first game I came in fresh and it was the first time they had seen me, so I was able to keep them off the bases,” Garnett said. “In the second game, my pitches weren’t working as sharp as they were during the first game, and they were able to put the ball in play.”

Garnett ran into trouble early on in the first two innings, loading the bases both times. The Vulcans were not able to take advantage of the scoring opportunities as Garnett buckled down and got out of the jams not giving up any runs.

After failing to execute on scoring opportunities early on, the Vulcans were able to break through during the fifth inning against the Gators. Jackson led the inning off with a double into left center and the Vulcans later scored on a throwing error by Hartfield. The Vulcans were able to add two more runs in the inning off a single from Haunani Haasenritter.

“I think we (get) a little too comfortable and assume we are going to win when Sonja is pitching,” said head coach Kristi Lansford. “We have to learn to pick each other up and (not to) take anything for granted.”