LAKE ELSINORE, Calif.--- Stan State opened play at the D2 West Coast Challenge with a pair of victories Friday at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park, defeating Western Oregon 8-6 in the opener before closing the day with a 4-2 win over Biola. The Warriors totaled 17 hits across the two games and played solid defense as they opened the season 2-0.
VERSUS THE WOLVES: Western Oregon struck early with four runs in the top of the first inning, but Stan State responded with two runs of its own in the bottom half to stay within reach. The Wolves added single runs in the second and third innings to take a 6-2 lead.
The Warriors answered in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to even the game. Ava Montesdeoca and Malia Babasa each recorded hits in the frame before Nat Camarena delivered a bases-clearing double to tie the contest. Stan State added two more runs in the sixth inning to take its first lead of the game. Babasa finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, while Camarena drove in three. Montesdeoca and Katelyn Bridgeman each scored two runs.
Alexis Camberos earned the win in relief, tossing 6.1 innings and allowing just two runs while striking out four to stabilize the game after the early deficit.
VERSUS THE EAGLES: In the nightcap of Friday's D2 West Coast Challenge doubleheader, Stan State posted a 4-2 victory over Biola to complete the sweep at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park.
After a scoreless first inning from both teams, the Warriors struck in the bottom of the third. With one out, Katelyn Bridgeman reached on a single and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Malia Babasa followed with a clutch two-run double to put Stan State on the board. Later in the inning, Nat Camarena delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.
Biola answered in the top of the fourth, pushing across two runs on a pair of singles to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Eagles threatened again in the fifth but were stymied by strong fielding and timely strikeouts from the Stan State pitcher.
In the bottom of the sixth, Stan State added some insurance. With runners on, Bridgeman scored on an RBI groundout to make it 4-2, giving the Warriors a cushion they would not relinquish. The Stan State defense remained sharp in the final innings, turning key plays to keep Biola off the board.
Stan State finished the game with seven hits and held the Eagles to two runs while playing error-free defense. The pitching staff limited Biola to eight hits over seven innings and worked efficiently to preserve the win.
BABASA: Malia Babasa continued her strong day at the plate, collecting multiple hits in the opener and finishing the day with three hits, two doubles, and an RBI across the doubleheader.
CAMARENA: Nat Camarena drove in three runs in the win over Western Oregon and added another extra-base hit on the day, providing key offensive production in the middle of the lineup.
CAMBEROS: Alexis Camberos delivered a strong performance in the circle, earning the win in the opener with 6.1 innings of relief while allowing just one earned run.
UP NEXT: Stan State continues play at the D2 West Coast Challenge on Saturday at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park. Tomorrow they will take on Concordia University Irvine, at 2:30PM,who beat Simon Fraser today 6-1 and will play Colorado Christian later tonight. They will then play Azusa Pacific at 5:00PM, Azusa plays #17 ranked East Bay and Monterey Bay later tonight.
