Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MENLO, Calif.— The Cal State San Marcos softball team started the year in northern California going 4-1 the the Best of the West Invitational against NCAA Division II opponents. Their second trip up north did not start quite as well, as the No. 3 Cougars were upended twice by Menlo College Friday afternoon, losing both games by the score of 3-2.

CSUSM, who has finished each of the last three seasons ranked among the top-five in the NAIA, has not lost consecutive games since suffering losses to NCAA Division II opponents Sonoma State and Hawaii Pacific back in February of 2011. The last time the Cougars were swept in a series was 2010 against UC San Diego, another NCAA Division II school.

Suffice to say, it was an unusual afternoon for the Cougars, who looked strong in defeating a strong Vanguard squad soundly at home just three days prior.

In the first game Friday, the Cougars left the bases loaded in the top of the first inning and then struggled to find baserunners after that, recording just four hits in the game.

Neither side was able to plate a run until the sixth inning, when Alex Miller drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a Sarah Quaimbao RBI single to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead late in the game.

However, the Oaks were resilient in front of their home fans on senior day, rallying back in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score with three hits in the inning. Cortney Allen struck out Jordan Pascual to strand two runners an send the game to extra innings.

In the eighth inning, Kaitlin McGinley was placed on second base to start the inning due to the international tiebreaker rules, and came around to score after a sacrifice bunt moved her to third and an Olivia Lucatuorto single brought her home to give CSUSM a 2-1 edge.

However, CSUSM was unable to make the run stand, as Alyssa Holland hit a two-out, two-run walk-off homerun to give the Oaks a 3-2 win. Cortney Allen (29-4) took the loss, going 7.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on seven hits, striking out six.

In the second half of the doubleheader, the Cougars actually out-hit the Menlo Oaks 10-7, but struggled to score runs after jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead. In the first inning, Kaitlin McGinley and Brittney Guy each singled to lead off the game and came around to score on a groundout by Olivia Lucatuorto and a single by Sarah Quiambao.

Unfortunately, the Oaks responded right back with two unearned runs to tie the game in the bottom of the first off CSUSM starting pitcher Katie Wilkinson.
Menlo took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning  on an RBI single up the middle, and CSUSM threatened with runners in scoring position in each of the final three innings but couldn't bring the tying run across.

In the final inning Kaitlin McGinley— who went 4-for-7 on the day— was hit by a pitch with one out and Brittney Guy singled and advanced to third on the play. Alex Miller grounded into a fielder's choice that left McGinley caught in a pickle, but enabled Guy and Miller to reach third and second base, respectively.  

However, the game and the afternoon went to the Oaks, as Olivia Lucatuorto grounded out to complete the sweep. Katie Wilkinson (3-3) received the loss, going six innings and allowing just one earned run on seven hits, striking out two.

CSUSM dropped to 36-8 with the losses, and Menlo improved to 17-25 with the victories. The Cougars will have an off day Saturday before wrapping up their regular season Sunday at Simpson and Monday at William Jessup.