Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1 box | Game 2 box 

HAYWARD, Calif. - After breaking out for 22 runs in Friday's CCAA opener, the Cal State East Bay softball team had to work to earn a split with San Francisco State, winning 6-3 before falling 4-3, in Saturday's series-capping doubleheader. The Pioneers (7-3, 3-1 CCAA) took advantage of a big first inning in game one before nearly completing the sweep after a late comeback that came up short in game two. 

Game 1: Cal State East Bay 6, San Francisco State 3
The Pioneers used four first-inning runs on four walks, a hit batter, an illegal pitch and an RBI single from Emily Montanez to build a lead that the Gators would not overcome. SF State did come back to score three runs in the top of the sixth, but East Bay used solo homers from Heidi McAllister and Sara Holdridge to put the game out of reach. 

Holdridge finished the game with two RBI, a walk and a homerun while going 1-for-2 at the plate to lead the Pioneers. Kelly Lowe picked up her third win of the season, allowing three runs on five hits with five strikeouts in five innings of work. Lauren Zweigle came on to pick up her first save, tossing a pair of scoreless innings and allowing just two hits in the win. 

Game 2: San Francisco State 4, Cal State East Bay 3
The Pioneers opened scoring again, taking a 1-0 lead thanks to four walks in the first inning. East Bay held onto the lead until the Gators posted a four spot in the top of the third inning, taking advantage of a Pioneer error and three hits. Trailing 4-1, East Bay pulled back a run in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to a sacrifice fly from McAllister that plated pinch runner Taylor Newhouse. 

The Pioneers scored another run in the fifth, putting together two hits and getting another sac fly, this time from Holdridge, who brought in Jamie Yaller to cut the SF State lead to just one. The Gators took the 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh, when East Bay put together a comeback in the waning daylight. After Mishka Hamor led off with a single, a hit batter and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with two outs for Holdridge. Seven pitches in the fading daylight later, Holdridge had drawn the walk and loaded the bases. Faced with having the game called due to darkness, Gator pitcher Marisa Ibarra got a pop up to end the threat and allow SF State to salvage the win and avoid the sweep.

Yaller paced the Pioneers at the plate in game two, going 1-for-3 with two runs in the loss. Starter Talia Ferrari took the loss but tossed a complete game, allowing four unearned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.

Following the CCAA opening series win, Cal State East Bay hits the road to take on Cal State Dominguez Hills next week. The Pioneers and Toros are set to begin with the first of two doubleheaders on Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. in Carson.