TURLOCK, Calif. – Dominican softball began its trip to the Tournament of Champions with a 3-1 win Friday over San Francisco State at Pedretti Park Field 1.
Caitlyn Perales went 3-for-3 for the Penguins (17-14) while
Olivia Lee was 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored.
Kate Tobola was also 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Shelby Keltner earned the victory from the circle not allowing an earned run over a complete game of work with nine strikeouts.
The Gators (11-14) struck first as Marley Gonzalez was hit by a pitch and advanced on a stolen base and a passed ball. Daniella Guerrera then singled on a bunt down the third-base line to bring her home for the 1-0 lead. Keltner struck out the next two batters to ensure the lead grew no further.
Lee led off the fourth with a triple down the left-field line that took a hop away from a diving attempt by the outfielder to get in scoring position.
Taylor Rodriguez cashed in on the opportunity as she singled through the right side to tie the game 1-1. Keltner continued to deal not allowing a runner past first over the next two innings.
Rodriguez drew a walk with one out in the top of the sixth and Keltner followed up with a single to left field that was mishandled by the outfielder allowing Rodriguez to come home and Keltner to advance to second. Tobola followed up with a single to right center that the right fielder missed on the scoop allowing her to make it to second while pinch runner
Alexis Abalos came home to score for the 3-1 lead. SFSU was able to limit the damage retiring the next two batters and leaving Tobola stranded at third.
After Keltner retired the side in the bottom of the sixth and struck out the first batter of the seventh, the Gators got some hope as Lexi Holihan singled to follow a walk with both runners stealing to advance into scoring position. Keltner let them get no further as she got the next batter swinging before Perales tracked a ball down the left-field line to secure the fly out for the final out of the game.
Dominican will be back in action at 2 p.m. against Cal State San Bernardino at Warrior Field in a rematch of the first game of the season.
