TURLOCK – Against the number one team in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the Stanislaus State softball team fought with all their strength taking the game into extra innings before losing 3-4 to Central Washington on Wednesday night at the Warrior Softball Field.
 
In a nine inning battle the Warriors kept their chances alive for two extra innings before the Wildcats managed to take home the win. With the loss Stan State is now 14-19 overall, and Central Washington advanced to 19-5.
 
Lia Tom had an effective night at the plate going 3-for-4. Alexus Martinez and Morgan Balestreri were each 2-for-4, and Balestreri, Ruby Quiralte, and Kylie Ragsdale each had an RBI.
 
In what started out as a low scoring game, a Wildcat error allowed the Warriors put their first run on the board in the second inning. With Central Washington up 3-2 at the bottom of the eighth, Ragsdale drove in Alexis McMahon to tie up the score and keep the Warriors in the game. Unfortunately, another Wildcat run put the Warriors behind in the ninth inning, and three quick outs gave Central Washington the game.   
 
Ragsdale suffered the loss and is now 8-8 in the circle. Ragsdale pitched the first three and final two innings, giving up one earned run on five hits. She struck out four batters and walked two.
 
This weekend Stan State will be hosting the annual Tournament of Champions held at three different Turlock locations. The Warriors first of two games on Friday will be versus Azusa Pacific at the Pedretti Sports Complex at 2 p.m.