ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Dominican University of California softball team shut down a late Sonoma State rally on Tuesday to earn a doubleheader split in non-conference action.
After falling 3-1 in the first game on Tuesday afternoon, the Penguins pushed out to a 5-0 lead with just two innings left to play. The host Seawolves scored two in the sixth and another two in the bottom of the seventh but Dominican captured the thrilling 5-4 victory.
With the result, the Penguins improve to 2-8 overall while SSU's mark settles at 9-6. Dominican will return to action on Friday with a 12 p.m. home doubleheader against BYU Hawaii while resuming PacWest play.
Game One: Seawolves 3, Penguins 1
Despite a stellar pitching performance from Dominican junior
Gaby Katafias, the Penguins' offense was stifled by opposing pitcher Brielle Vidmar. Through the seven innings, Dominican scraped across one run and four hits.
To initiate the scoring, the Seawolves manufactured a run in the bottom of the third when Alison Strycula stole home. One inning later, SSU stretched its lead to 2-0 with a sacrifice fly.
The Seawolves carried a 3-0 lead into the top of the sixth, when Dominican put together its first scoring production.
Senior
Alyssa Lanza, a Livermore native, opened the inning with an infield single and later moved to second on a fielder's choice off the bat of sophomore
Keely Bowlan. Cleanup hitter
Katelyn Harden delivered the RBI hit, knocking a double down the rightfield line to bring in Lanza.
Dominican put a runner on base in the next inning but Sonoma managed to wrap up the 3-1 victory.
Game Two: Penguins 5, Seawolves 4
After contributing the Penguins' RBI hit in the first game, Harden stepped to the mound in game two and pitched a tremendous outing. She worked in and out of jams, scattering three hits with all four of the SSU runs coming unearned.
Meanwhile, the Dominican offense put up runs in bunches. In the top of the third, the Penguins built a one-out rally that started with a single from
Haley Cheek. Lanza followed with an infield single and then a
McKenzie Schumacher walk loaded the bases.
Karitza Reyes knocked in two runs with a single and then later in the inning, Schumacher stole home to widen the Penguins' lead to 3-0.
Three innings later, Dominican managed to load the bases once again with one out. This time, Dennis provided the two-run single to push the lead to 5-0 and force a Sonoma pitching change.
The Seawolves made the contest interesting by pulling to within one run but Harden struck out the final SSU hitter to cap off the 5-4 win for the visitors.
