Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)
SAN BERNARDINO — Cal State San Bernardino came into Friday's doubleheader just a half game in for the last spot in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament. After a 7-5, 6-2 sweep over No. 12 Sonoma State, the Coyotes let the rest of the conference know they plan on staying right where they are.
It was just the second time this season the Seawolves (32-11, 18-8 CCAA) have been swept whereas the Coyotes (23-21, 15-10) have won six of their last seven.
CSUSB struck first in the bottom of the first of the opener when Britney Butler scored on a Felicia Cervantes sacrifice fly to right and then Jacquelyn Holtzclaw scored on a subsequent error on the throw home to put the Coyotes up 2-0.
Sonoma got a run back in the top of the second on a solo home run down the left field line by Skylynn Myers to make it 2-1 before tying the game in the top of the fourth on another solo home run to left by Ashley Britton.
CSUSB retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth at 3-2. Two straight errors to start the inning put Priscilla Curiel and Courtney Wilhelms at first and second. Jamie Leffingwell then hit a shot past the Seawolves' diving third baseman to score Curiel.
Cervantes started a two-out rally in the fifth with single and was followed by two more singles by Ashley Collinwood and Curiel to load the bases. Wilhelms gave the Coyotes a 4-2 lead with a single up the middle before a Seawolves' error and a fielder's choice put CSUSB up 6-2.
Sonoma State closed the gap to 6-4 when Ali Palermo hit a two-run shot over the left field fence in the top of the sixth and got within one, at 6-5, on a Brittany Martinez single up the middle.
The Coyotes got an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Cervantes singled up the middle to score Butler from second to put CSUSB up 7-5.
Brianne Godfredson came on to toss the final inning and retired the side to pick up her second save of the year. Cassidy Lee (8-4) picked up the win after throwing the first 5 1/3 innings. She allowed four runs on five hits.
Cervantes had a perfect game at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored. Wilhelms, Leffingwell and Alyssa Flores all went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
The Coyotes got an early start in the nightcap as well when Butler hit a lead off home run to left to put CSUSB up 1-0.
Sonoma tied it at 1-1 in the top of the second on a Simone Brandalise single up the middle.
CSUSB answered in the bottom of the fourth when Leffingwell singled up the middle to score Curiel to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead. The Seawolves tied it at 2-2 in the top of the sixth with a single through the right side by Brittany Martinez.
Leffingwell gave the lead back to the Coyotes in the bottom of the sixth with a fielder's choice to second. Curiel started the inning with a lead off walk before Erin Fernandez, who pinch ran for Curiel, stole second and moved to third on a Wilhelms sac bunt. Fernandez scored on the fielder's choice. Butler then gave CSUSB more breathing room with a three-run home run to put the Coyotes up 6-2.
Godfredson (8-5) went the distance as she allowed just two runs and scattered eight hits in her third complete game of the year. Butler went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored with a pair of home runs.
The two play another doubleheader tomorrow at 11 a.m.
