Scoring runs came hard for the SF State Lady Gators with a double header home loss against the Roadrunner’s of Cal State Bakersfield.

SF State got shutout 1-0 in both games, never being able to muster a single run. The Gators couldn’t put a series of hits together. There was no momentum or rhythm to get the team going on the right track.

The Roadrunner’s pitching subdued the bite of the ninth ranked SF State Gators. It was only the fourth time all season, out of 20 games, that the softball team was held scoreless.

“We struggled a little bit at the plate. We were anxious trying to hit the ball too hard instead of getting quality at bats,” said Coach Kristi Lansford.

In the first game, the gators were hitless until the third inning when freshmen, Carrie Arth gave the Gators their first hit, up the middle. A sacrifice bunt from infielder Monica Amburgey put SF State in scoring position, advancing pitch runner Nicole Hartfield from first to second. With a runner on second base and one out, senior Sonja Garnett flied out to center field, and second basement Vanessa Rodrigue popped out, killing the potential scoring opportunity.

It took just one mistake in the game for the Roadrunner’s to capitalize and score a run. In the top of the fourth inning third basemen Carrie Arth made an excellent grab, but made a throwing error that seemed to do in the Gators. With two outs and runners on first and second base, the Roadrunner’s Amber Mills singled sharply to left field, bringing in the only run of the game.

A double in the bottom of the fifth inning by senior catcher Mary Cunnie gave the Gators life with only one out. It was a pretty powerful hit to the right-center gap, but to no avail as SF State could not squeak out a run.

“You know we didn’t score. We made a couple of defensive errors, but the scores were so close, 1-0. If we would of scored , it could have went both ways,” said senior pitcher Sonja Garnett.

The second game of the double header was a mirror image of the first; the Gators simply never got on track. The Gators were only able to get two hits in the first couple of innings by junior Nicole Cirimele and senior Vanessa Rodrigue.

Again the Roadrunners scored thanks to an error from SF State’s defense. Sophomore catcher Dana Ramirez threw the ball out of reach of first basemen Cirimele; Roadrunner’s players advanced to second and third. The next batter, Bethany Snow, knocked in teammate Renee Rubio for the only run of the game. The Gators could never recover, and ended up losing again by one measly run.

“I think it was a good game. A couple errors, but we played well,” said first basemen Nicole Cirimele.

Whether its defeat or success, the team shows no signs of egos from players. The Gators aura and chemistry is easily seen when they all take the field. After the two loses to the Roadrunners it would be hard for a bystander to determine if the team had won or lost because each girl is charismatic and excited about just playing the game.

Coach Lansford doesn’t know why her team has the chemistry it does, but she believes the girls just enjoy playing with each other.

“They really are a good group, close knit and they are just fun to coach,” said Lansford.

Cirimele agrees saying the team is a very cohesive unit.

“Our team always had good chemistry, we are always supportive of each other,” said Cirimele.

The nationally ranked SF State Gators will attempt to defend their home field Friday against Chico State. With that ranking comes attention, but Garnett feels like the team will be ready.

“I think everyone is gunning for us. Everybody plays their best ball against us. I think we are going to be fighting all year,” said Garnett.