Alyssa Dronenburg's grand slam broke open game one, and Brenna Sandberg prevailed in a game two pitcher's duel as CSUSM softball swept Simpson University at home on Monday, 8-1 and 2-1.

The #24-ranked Cougars are now 23-9 this season.  Simpson falls to 25-12.

In game one, the Cougars gave Sandberg a nice cushion early, scoring two in the first inning.  Elizabeth Bush and Alicia Ingram led off with base hits, and a walk to Ciera Ashman loaded the bases.  Lauren Nelson then got Bush home with a fielder's choice that was thrown around in the infield, allowing Ingram to score.

Simpson would cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth, and after CSUSM stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame, the lead was suddenly in jeopardy.  But the Cougar offense struck right back, as Ashman led off the fifth with a base hit and Dronenburg ripped a double.  Nelson once again got the run home, this time with a sacrifice fly, and a big Shanti Poston double with two outs plated Dronenburg to put CSUSM up 4-1.

Dronenburg's grand slam - an absolute bomb to her power alley in right center - put the game out of reach the following inning, and Sandberg finished off the win herself.  The NAIA leader in wins added one to her total, throwing 2-hit ball over 7 innings, striking out 8 and walking none.

In game two, Simpson starter Amanda Crocker did a nice job of limiting the Cougar lineup, but CSUSM would still prevail thanks to Sandberg.  She threw yet another complete game, improving her record to 22-6 on the season by throwing 7 innings and allowing just 1 run on 5 hits.  She once again didn't issue a walk, and struck out 6 batters.

After Simpson got its run in the top of the second, CSUSM took the lead in the third and never gave it up.  Kimi Villalpando led off with a single, Ashley Estepa drew a walk, and after a Bush sacrifice bunt, Simpson tried and failed to cut down the run at home on a grounder by Ingram.  Ciera Ashman then reached on a liner off the pitcher's glove, allowing Estepa to score what would be the game-winning run.

Cougar softball will be on the road the rest of this week, starting with tomorrow's games at Concordia.