Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Pioneer women's softball team used good pitching and timely hitting in a doubleheader sweep over Sonoma State 5-2 and 5-4 on Friday.

With the doubleheader sweep, the Pioneers improve to 4-6 in CCAA play and 6-10 overall. Sonoma State stands at 5-5 in the CCAA and 12-7 for the season.

“For the first time all season, we put it all together,” Pioneer Head Coach Barbara Pierce said. “Lauren Zweigle came up huge in the circle, picking up two victories and giving up only one earned run in 11 innings to a good hitting team.”

In the first game, Zweigle improved to 4-5 for the season. Tossing her seventh complete game of the season, Zweigle held the Seawolves to no earned runs, on five hits, nine strikeouts and one walk. Nicole Adair was 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Sara Pacioni had two hits and drove in a pair of runs. Emily Montanez and Sara Holdridge each drove in a run.

“Our hitters are coming around, and had good at bats in the doubleheader,” Pierce said. “We took advantage of base on balls and came away with a win in the first game.”

Sonoma State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs Vanessa Currie singled. Ali Palermo followed with a base hit, and advanced to second on a Pioneer fielding error. Currie scored on the play.

The Pioneers struck for four runs in the top of the third off Seawolves' hurler Samantha Lipperd who had retired six of the first seven East Bay hitters. With two outs, Taryn Thomas doubled and advanced to third on a pass ball. The next four Pioneer hitters all walked, giving the Pioneers a 2-1 lead. Pacioni hit a two-run single to score Chelsie Kakela and Holdridge.

East Bay had the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, but couldn't extend its lead.

After allowing an unearned run in the first, Zweigle held the Seawolves the next four innings to one hit and five strikeouts. 

The Pioneers extended their lead to 5-1 with a run in the top of the sixth inning. Meli Sanchez was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Sanchez advanced to second on a wild pitch and went to third on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Adair had an infield hit to score Sanchez.

Currie led off the bottom of the sixth with a double and scored on a Pioneer error. With one out, Keisi Chinen singled to put runners on first and second. Zweigle got Holli Brown to line into a double play to end the Seawolves rally.

With two outs and one on in the bottom of the seventh, Zweigle fanned Ancia Purdy to preserve the Pioneer victory.

The Pioneers got off to a fast start in the second game with three runs in the top of the first. With one out, Adair singled. Kakela was hit by a pitch putting runners at first and second. Holdridge followed with a single to score Adair. Both Holdridge and Kakela advanced on a wild pitch. Vika Kafoa drove in Holdridge and Kakela with a base hit.

Palermo's sacrifice fly scored Purdy as Sonoma State answered with a run in the bottom of the first.

Holdridge drove home Thomas with a single in the top of the second as the Pioneers increased their lead to 4-1. The Seawolves cut the deficit to 4-2 with a run in the bottom of the second.

In the bottom of the third, Purdy singled to drive in Megan Komeczka as the Seawolves inched closer, 4-3. Zweigle replaced reliever Nikki  Fonteneaux and got out of a bases loaded jam to secure the Pioneers' lead.

Emily Montanez fielders' choice scored  Thomas to give the Pioneers a 5-3 in the top of the fourth. The Seawolves answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth.

Sonoma State had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but Zweigle got Palerno to line out to third base, ending the Seawolves' scoring threat.

Zweigle struck out Olivia Lucchese with the tying run on firstbase to complete the doubleheader sweep for the Pioneers.

Holdridge and Kafoa each drove in a pair of runs for the Pioneers. Sanchez contributed to the Pioneer victory with two hits. Zweigle picked up her second victory of the doubleheader and fifth of the season. In 4.2 innings, Zweigle allowed one run on five hits and three strikeouts.

The two teams will conclude the four-game series on March 2 with a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader in Rohnert Park.