Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 In a pair of games with serious regional playoff implications, #21 Cal State San Marcos split with Concordia University in an evenly-matched double-header on Saturday. The Cougars couldn't capitalize on numerous opportunities in game one, falling 4-1; but bounced back to win game two 3-2 on a walk-off suicide squeeze. CSUSM got off to a quick start in game one, manufacturing a run in the first. Elizabeth Bush led off with a single, was sacrificed over by Holly Russell, and was driven in with two outs by a Shanti Poston single up the middle. But the Cougars failed to capitalize on other early opportunities. CSUSM got a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings, but only cashed in that first opportunity. On the mound, Cougar ace Melissa Lerno started off strong. Lerno controlled the inside of the plate, keeping hitters off balance with hard fastballs over the inside corner. She started the game with three perfect innings. But Concordia struck in the fourth, knocking a one-out double followed by a single, putting runners at the corners. A beautifully-executed pickoff play was foiled when the third baseman couldn't handle the throw, allowing a run to score. After a walk, a rocket triple down the leftfield line made it 3-1 Concordia, and a sacrifice bunt made it 4-1. A beautiful diving stop by Cougar shortstop Shanti Poston in the fifth, and nice plays by Lauren Nelson and Russell in the sixth helped CSUSM keep the lead manageable. And in that sixth inning, CSUSM finally got to CUI starter Rachel Reekstin, as Erica Coelho drew a leadoff walk, and Poston and Lerno singled to load the bases with no outs. Reliever Laura Wiens was brought in, and after getting an out, surrendered a walk to Lauren Nelson to make it 4-2. The rally ended there, however, meaning the seventh inning was the Cougars' final shot to come back. After an out, Russell and Coelho drew walks, and Poston lined a single up the middle to load the bases for Lerno. She hammered a ball to center, but what looked like a potential game-winning triple turned into a sac fly when centerfielder Michelle Carter made a full-extension diving catch. Wiens struck out the final hitter to close out a very painful 4-3 loss for CSUSM. In game two, Concordia kept its momentum going, scoring off Cougar starter Brenna Sandberg in the first. But the Cougars got it right back, as Melissa Lerno chopped a two-out RBI single to plate Holly Russell in the bottom of the inning. CSUSM threatened in the third, with Elizabeth Bush leading off with a single, Russell walking, and Erica Coelho sacrificing them over. But the Cougars were unable to push home a run, and the 1-1 tie remained. The game turned into a pitchers' duel, as both Sandberg and CUI starter Sarah Frudakis locked down for the next few innings. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, the Cougars finally broke through thanks to a triple laced by Erica Coelho down the leftfield line. She came home on a hard-hit ball by Shanti Poston that the shortstop couldn't handle, giving CSUSM its first lead at 2-1.