TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State opened the Stan State Invitational with a 6-2 victory over Dominican Thursday afternoon at Warrior Softball Field. The Warriors used a five-run sixth inning to pull away and improve to 4-2 on the season while holding the Penguins to just one earned run.
Stan State jumped in front in the second inning when Nat Camarena crushed a solo home run to left center to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
Dominican responded in the third inning, capitalizing on a pair of Warrior errors to score two unearned runs and take a 2-1 advantage. The Penguins strung together two hits in the frame and used aggressive base running to grab the lead.
The game remained tight until the sixth inning when the Warriors erupted. Ava Montesdeoca led off with a single and advanced into scoring position with aggressive base running. Malia Babasa followed with a walk and later stole second to put pressure on the defense. After the bases were loaded, Marley Hogue delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.
Madison Rosebrough then drew a bases-loaded walk to give Stan State a 3-2 lead. Sadie Salas extended the advantage with an RBI single, and Addie Meddings capped the rally with a two-run single to center field. The Warriors scored five runs on four hits in the inning to take full control at 6-2.
In the circle, Alexandria Himes turned in a complete-game performance. The right-hander allowed six hits and two runs, just one earned, while walking none and striking out two over seven innings on 87 pitches. She worked efficiently and shut down Dominican over the final four innings to secure the win.
Stan State finished with six hits in the contest. Camarena recorded the home run and a walk, while Meddings drove in a team-high two runs off the bench. Hogue, Salas, and Rosebrough each added an RBI. The Warriors were active on the bases with three stolen bases and applied consistent pressure throughout the afternoon.
UP NEXT: Stan State continues play in the Stan State Invitational tomorrow at Warrior Softball Field against (3-1) Central Washington who will compete against #5 East Bay in the morning at 9:00AM before taking on the Warriors. Central Washington is coming off of a double header win against Warner Pacific.
