SAN RAFAEL, Calif.---  Stan State finished its rain shortened weekend dropping two tight contests on Sunday in the North Bay Challenge, 5-4 to Saint Martin's and 3-1 to Dominican.  The Warriors will host No. 7 Cal State San Marcos in a four-game CCAA series at Stan State's Softball Field, February 16-17.
 
SAINTS 5, WARRIORS 4:  Katie Thornsberry had a lead-off single to begin the game for the Warriors.  She went to second on a wild pitch.  With the count 3-2, Payton Applequist hit a two-run home run to left field to give Stan State a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. 
 
The Warriors took a 3-0 lead in their half of the second.  Shelby Frutoz had a one-out single and scored on a two-out single by Faith Erb.  
 
Saint Martin's (8-2) tied the game on a three-run home run by Destiny Conerly in the bottom of the second inning.  The Saints took a 4-3 lead on a sacrifice fly by Haley Agena in their half of the fourth inning.  
 
Stan State tied the game in its half of the fifth, 4-4.  Thornsberry had a lead-off single went to second when Mikaela Ferreira reached on a Saint error.  She went to third on an Applequist sacrifice bunt.  Thornsberry scored the tying run on a wild pitch.
 
The game remained tied until the Saint sixth inning.  Kekai Schultz hit a lead-off home run to give the Saints a 5-4 lead.  
 
Choe Leverington shut down the Warriors in the top of the seventh to preserve the 5-4 Saint victory.
 
WARRIOR HITTERS:  Katie Thornsberry had three of the Warriors' seven hit.  She went three-for-four with a run batted in and two runs scored.  Payton Applequist had a two-run home run and Faith Erb went two-for-three.
 
STAN STATE PITCHERS:  Shelby Frutoz started the game and picked up the no-decision. She pitched three innings, giving up three hits, three runs, and walked two.  Victoria Alarcon (0-2) picked up the loss in relief.  She pitched three innings, giving up two hits and two runs (one earned) while walking two.
 
PENGUINS 3, WARRIORS 1:  Stan State (0-4) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning.  Sarah Warden had a one out single and went to third on a Sarah Warden double.  She scored on a Faith Erb single up the middle. 
 
Dominican tied the game in its half of the second on a lead-off home run by Ashley Rue.  The Penguins took a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly by Kama Kaleikini in its half of the second inning.  They added an insurance run in the fourth.  Rue had a lead-off double and scored on a one-out single by Christy Perales. 
 
Stan State had a chance to cut into the Penguin lead in the top of the fifth.  Marissa Cerda led off the inning with a bunt single.  She went to second when Emily Bigley reached on a Penguin error.  With two outs, Mikaela Ferreira walked to load the bases.  Dominican (3-3) induced the next Warrior to fly out and end the scoring threat.  
 
WARRIOR HITTERS: Faith Erb was one-for-three with a run batted in while Sarah Warden scored Stan State's run and had a hit.  The four other hits were by Katie Thornsberry, Karli DalBianco, Sasha Martello, and Marissa Cerda.
 
STAN STATE PITCHERS:  Sasha Martello (0-1) suffered the loss, pitching four innings, giving up five hits and three runs.  Victoria Alarcon pitched two scoreless innings, giving up no hits, walking one and striking out two.
 
UP NEXT:  The Warriors will have their CCAA and home opener this weekend, Feb. 16-17.  They will host No. 7 Cal State San Marcos this Friday, Feb. 16 in a noon starting doubleheader.  The four-game series will conclude with an 11am starting doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 17.