What was by far the most successful season in the four-year history of Cal State San Marcos softball came to an end on Monday, as a 2-1 loss to William Carey eliminated the Cougars from the NAIA National Championships.

CSUSM finishes its season with a 40-15 record, and a 2-1 record in pool play at the National Championships.  William Carey improves to 42-13, and thanks to a 3-0 record in pool play, wins Pool E and advances to the 8-team bracket round of the tournament.

The Cougars, winners of the A.I.I. Conference and ranked #5 nationally, were doomed by 8 runners left on base and a pair of errors in the field.

Ace starting pitcher Brenna Sandberg capped off her historic season with another strong effort, going the full 7 innings and allowing 2 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4.  She finishes the season with a staggering 38-11 record in 322.1 innings pitched and an ERA of 1.24.

CSUSM jumped out to an early lead in Monday's contest, with Ciera Ashman leading the game off with a walk, stealing second, and scoring on a two-out single by Lauren Nelson.

But William Carey would answer in the third, as Kelsey Jo Smith led off with a walk, a throwing error on an attempted sacrifice put another runner on and moved both into scoring position.  That was followed with the inning's only hit - a Casey Alexander single - which plated both runs and proved to be the difference in the ballgame.

The Cougars would have their chances, recording 7 hits and drawing 4 walks off starting pitcher Anna Ard and reliever Melanie Bush while benefitting from 3 errors committed by the William Carey defense.  Most notably, CSUSM loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but a groundout and pop-out ended the inning. 

Despite the abrupt finish, the season was a tremendous success.  The Cougars recorded their first 40-win season, won their first conference title, advanced to their first National Championship, and achieved their first top-5 ranking.  With only 3 seniors, expect the squad to pick up right where it left off in 2011!