Competing at the SoCal Smash on Sunday, #21 Cougar softball fell to #3 Cal Baptist, 10-1.

It's been a tough early-season schedule for the Cougars, who have run up against All-American pitchers and top-ranked teams thus far.  Sunday's game was the second in three days against Cal Baptist, one of the most powerful teams in the NAIA.

CSUSM got off to a quick start, with Erica Coelho doubling in a run in the first inning.  Coelho was the Cougars' top offensive performer, going 2-for-3 with that RBI.  Alyssa Dronenberg, Ashley Estepa, Lauren Nelson, and Shanti Poston also recorded hits on the day.

But the lead wouldn't last long.  Cal Baptist scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to go up 2-1, added two more in the third, then four in the fifth to put the game out of reach.  The Lancers were led by Nikki Lowe's three hits and three runs scored, and the pitching of Tory Ferreira, who threw four shutout innings.