By Michelle Gardner
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO – All season long the Cal State San Bernardino softball team has relied on its offense. The Coyote bats did their job again Saturday as the host team smacked four home runs in an 8-4win over Chico State in the nightcap of a CCAA doubleheader.
Chico State salvaged a split because of a 6-4 win in the opener but the Coyotes swept a doubleheader Friday, giving them three wins in a four-game set that rounded out the home schedule.
The Coyotes (30-26-1, 15-11) had nine home runs in the series. They lead the conference in that category as well as most other offensive departments. They are among the national leaders in home runs with 59.
We have a lot of girls that can really hit the ball and it has been our strong suit all year, coach Tacy Duncan said. That really showed in the second game.
The split helps the Coyotes in their pursuit of a conference tournament berth. They started the day third, one spot ahead of where they need to finish.They wrap up the season with a four-game set at second-place Stanislaus next weekend.
But players dont feel the burden of the stretch run.
Its a game and its fun so we really dont feel pressure, said junior Tori Beaudette, who led the charge with two home runs in the nightcap.
The Coyotes trailed 3-1 early, their lone run coming on a solo shot by Ashley Collinwood in the first.
But the sticks woke up in the fourth as Beaudette launched her fifth of the season to lead off the inning. Tayler Wilson reached on a fielders choice and Debbie Shisler followed with an infield single. Jordan Dahl, the No. 5 hitter in the conference, then stroked a three-run shot to put the Coyotes up 5-3. Beaudette delivered a two run-shot an inning later and the Coyotes were not threatened again.
The win went to Tawni Baker who entered in relief in the top of the fifth.
The second game also featured a pair of great defensive plays by center fielder Priscilla Curiel. The Cajon High product made a nice catch to end the Chico sixth, then made an even better one to start the seventh. She raced to her right and made a sprawling grab of a ball off the bat of Nickie Jarrett that was headed to the gap.
Wilson and Shisler had two hits for the Coyotes in the opener but the difference was a five-run third by the Wildcats (24-25, 12-16).
A sweep would have been big given that the Coyotes end the season on the road against a quality for but Duncan was satisfied.
Its tough to sweep so we have to be happy winning three of four. This conference is tough and were playing each other so many times youre not going to beat the same team every time, she said.
The game was the last at home for six Cal State seniors who were honored after the game. That group includes Baker, Wilson, Dahl, Jackie Jacob, Nicole Camarena and Jamie Lowe.
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