Stockton, Calif. - In the rubber match of a three game conference series with San Diego, the Pacific Softball team notched a 3-1 win, thanks to a quality start by senior pitcher Tori Shepard (7-12), and an offensive attack highlighted by a two-run homer by senior Taylor Petty in the fourth inning, her

The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the third inning against San Diego starter Cassidy Coleman (12-10). With one out, Coleman hit sophomore Melanie Habib in the back with an errant pitch. The next hitter, sophomore Nicole Zapotoczny singled through the left side, advancing Habib into scoring position. Senior Megan Foglesong delivered in the clutch, with a  single just to the right of second base, scoring Habib and advancing Zapotoczny to third base. Foglesong took second on the the throw, but was stranded in scoring position.

Shepard delivered a shutdown inning in the top of the fourth, surrendering only a single by Caitlin Rooney. In the bottom of the fourth, Coleman received two quick outs but hit senior Gabby Goyette with a pitch, the third batter to reach on a hit by pitch  of the game for the Tigers. Petty followed with a long home run to left field on a 1-2 count, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead and some much needed breathing room in the conference contest.

Shepard couldn't register a shutdown inning in the top of the fifth, as Kylie Ordos singled with one out and came into score on a double by Charly Swanberg, cutting the advantage to 3-1 in favor of the Orange and Black. Shepard, however, got out of the frame with a pair of flyouts to sophomore Sara Anderson in right field, limiting the damage and putting Pacific in a great position for a series win.

Pacific wouldn't score in the bottom of the fifth, despite a one-out double from Foglesong.  Junior Dani Bonnet came in relief of Shepard in the sixth frame and worked around a leadoff single from Caitlin Rooney, who was a perfect 3-3 with three singles on the afternoon to highlight the Toreros side of the box score.

After the Tigers went down in order in the bottom of sixth, Bonnet came back out for the seventh, looking to nail down the win.  Bonnet worked a perfect inning, including a strikeout of Dana Prelsnik to end the game. Bonnet notched her second save of the season, preserving the win for Shepard and sending Pacific to its fourth straight conference series victory.

The Tigers pitching was masterful on Sunday afternoon, surrendering just seven hit. Neither Shepard nor Bonnet allowed a single runner to reach via a walk or a hit batter.

The Tigers now sit at 8-4, tied with Saint Mary's for second place in the West Coast Conference. Pacific holds the tiebreaker over the Gaels and will welcome in the first place Brigham Young Cougars to Bill Simoni Field on Friday, with a chance to take over first place in the conference.

The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon.