Box Score Pitcher Brenna Sandberg recorded her second straight double-digit strikeout performance as CSUSM softball defeated Mount Mercy 1-0 on Saturday, staying unbeaten in pool play at the NAIA National Championships.

The Cougars, now 2-0 at the National Championships, will face William Carey on Monday at 2:00 PM in its final game of the pool play round.  A win would guarantee CSUSM a spot in the 8-team bracket play round at the National Championships; though depending on the outcome of tonight's game between William Carey and Union, the Cougars may advance even with a loss.

While Friday's rain may have pushed that day's games back to Saturday, it didn't put a damper on the Sandberg's momentum.  The A.I.I. Conference Pitcher of the Year allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings, walking four and striking out eleven.

Her counterpart Becca Smith was nearly as good, going the distance and giving up just four hits.  But the Cougar offense would do just enough.  Kimi Villalpando led off the third inning with a base hit, and Ashley Estepa reached on a hit-by-pitch.  After a fielder's choice and strikeout, All-Conference selection Alyssa Dronenburg delievered a huge RBI single to right, plating Estepa.

That would be the game's only run, as Sandberg stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, thwarting what was Mount Mercy's best scoring chance.   CSUSM will look to guarantee its spot in bracket play with a win against William Carey on Monday.