San Marcos, Calif.— The top ranked Cal State San Marcos softball team will open the 2013 season Saturday, February 2 against Chico State as part of the Best of the West Invitational hosted by Cal State Stanislaus. The Cougars— coming off back-to-back NAIA Final Four appearances— will be facing primarily NCAA Division II opponents, but have fared well in the tournament in years past, going 4-1 in the competition in both 2011 and 2010.

Schedule
Game 1
Saturday, February 2 – 11:15 a.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. Chico State (0-0)
Turlock, Calif. – Pedretti Sports Complex

Game 2
Saturday, February 2 – 1:15 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. San Francisco State (0-0)
Turlock, Calif. – Pedretti Sports Complex

Game 3
Saturday, February 2 – 5:45 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. Holy Names (0-0)
Turlock, Calif. – Pedretti Sports Complex

Game 4
Sunday, February 3 – 10:00 a.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. Cal State Monterey Bay (0-0)
Turlock, Calif. – Pedretti Sports Complex

Game 5
Sunday, February 3 – 12:15 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) at Cal State Stanislaus (0-0)
Turlock, Calif. – Pedretti Sports Complex

Quick Facts
-Cal State San Marcos went 5-1 against NCAA Division II programs last season.
 
-CSUSM has not been ranked outside the top 4 since the 2011 preseason poll, and finished the last three seasons ranked No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5. The 2013 preseason poll is the second time the Cougars have held the No. 1 ranking. The other time the team has received the NAIA's top billing was in the Mar 20, 2012 coaches' poll.
 
-The Cougars, who went 55-6 a year ago, return NAIA first team All-American pitcher Cortney Allen (24-6,1.07 ERA), as well as 2nd team All-American outfielders Kaitlin McGinley (.400, 46-47 SB's) and Alex Miller (.411, 29 extra base hits).
 
First Home Game
CSUSM will make their San Marcos debut Sunday, February 10 as they host a doubleheader with conference rival La Sierra beginning at 12:00 pm. The Cougars have won 21 consecutive contests at the CSUSM Softball Field dating back to the 2011 A.I.I.Conference Tournament. Cal State San Marcos is 10-0 lifetime against La Sierra, with the most recent meeting ending in a 19-0 victory in which the Cougars pounded out 19 hits and Katie Wilkinson and Jourdan Lamoureux combined to throw a two-hit shutout.
 
Reserved Seats Still Available!
Reserved seating for the 2013 Cal State San Marcos baseball and softball home games is now available. Guarantee yourself reserved individual seats with back rests directly behind home plate for all home games for just $100. Interested parties should contact Rachel McConeghy at rmcconeg@csusm.edu, call 760-750-7102, or click here in order to purchase.