Brenna Sandberg's 13 strikeouts weren't enough to avoid a 5-4 extra innings loss in game one, but Cougar softball bounced back in game two at Hope International on Tuesday, winning 5-2.

CSUSM, ranked #24 in today's first in-season NAIA poll of 2010, are now 19-9.  HIU is 11-19.

It was a tough game one loss for the Cougars, who jumped out to an early lead only to see it fall, then took a one-run lead in extra innings, only to see HIU score two runs to take the game.

Ciera Ashman provided a big two-RBI single in the first inning, and the team's RBI base hit in the eighth as well, driving in three of the team's four runs for the game.  Shanti Poston provided the other RBI, driving in Ashman in the first.  The speedsters at the top of the lineup did well too, with Elizabeth Bush scoring two runs and Alicia Ingram scoring one.

Sandberg was excellent as usual on the mound, going the distance to record those 13 strikeouts while walking just 2.  Unfortunately, she was victimized by a defense that's had some trouble recently, as only two of Hope's five runs were earned.  The game-winning run came home in the eighth on an error in the outfield.

HIU starter Alexis Alonzo threw the full 8 innings to earn the win and improve to 3-8 on the season.

The Cougars would right the ship in game two, scoring four runs in the second inning and never letting go of the lead.  Sandberg was once again strong on the mound, tossing another complete game and allowing just two runs on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.

Sandberg is now 18-6 this season, while HIU starter Kayla Uphold allowed 5 runs (4 earned), falling to 7-11 on the year.

It was a balanced effort on offense for CSUSM, with eighth different players recording base hits.  In the key second inning, Lauren Nelson led off with a single, Erica Coelho doubled, and Kimi Villalpando doubled in both.  Ashley Estepa then singled, and an illegal pitch scored Villalpando.  Bush then added an RBI groundout to cap off the inning.

The Cougars' fifth run came in the seventh and final inning, with Coelho driving home Ashman after Ashman singled.  Sandberg stranded baserunners in the game's final three innings to close out the victory.

CSUSM will be in action this Saturday at home against Vanguard University.