SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos softball team suffered a doubleheader defeat to San Diego Christian in non-conference action, Saturday at CSUSM Softball Field. CSUSM fell 8-3 in game one and 4-3 in game two.
 
The Hawks improve to 3-1. The Cougars drop to 0-3.
 
CSUSM will open conference play with a four-game road series against local rival UC San Diego, starting Friday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.
 
Game One: SDC 8, CSUSM 3
CSUSM fell in the first game of the doubleheader by a final score of 8-3. Senior outfielder Holly Fauria went 2-for-4 with one run, senior outfielder Breanna Stiles went 2-for-3 with two runs and junior outfielder Lindsay Cerulle had two RBI. Senior pitcher Ashley Dagenais (0-1) took the loss in four innings pitched, giving up four earned runs. Freshman pitcher Cheyenne Alvarez came in relief for the last three frames and gave up two runs with four strikeouts.
 
Victoria Harris and Shelbianne Evans were perfect for SDC, each going 3-for-3. Harris had two runs and Evans contributed one run and one RBI. Kendra Kuper was credited with the win as she threw all seven frames, giving up three runs with four strikeouts.
 
The Hawks came out on fire, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. SDC's Joselle Nicholas and Maritza Martinez each hit one-run singles on consecutive at bats. Kaylyn Rubalcava plated two more Hawks as SDC went up 4-0.
 
The Cougars responded with one run in the bottom of the first as Stiles scored after an error by Martinez.
 
The Hawks got two more runs in the top of the fourth to lead 6-1.
 
CSUSM cut the margin to three, 6-3, after a bunt by Cerulle got Stiles and Fauria home in the bottom of the fifth.
 
SDC grabbed two insurance runs in the top of the sixth and held the Cougars scoreless the rest of the way to prevail by five.
 
Game Two: SDC 4, CSUSM 3
CSUSM could not hold a one-run lead and fell to SDC by a final score of 4-3. Stiles was 2-for-3 with one run. Freshman infielder Gabriela Arizaga went a perfect 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI. Senior pitcher Amanda Horbasch threw the first three innings and gave up two runs. Freshman Karen Roman, who started the game in the designated player position, came in relief for the last four frames and also had two runs against her.
 
Angelina Savoldi went 2-for-4 with one run for the Hawks. Evans went 2-for-2 with one run and one RBI. Jordan Neal was 1-for-2 with two RBI. Kuper threw all seven innings for SDC once again, striking out two and giving up three earned runs.
 
The Hawks scored in the first inning on a sacrifice fly from Neal. The Cougars tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the inning as Arizaga plated Stiles on a single.
 
SDC took a one-run lead in the top of the second on a perfectly executed double steal play with runners on first and third.
 
CSUSM grabbed took a 3-2 advantage in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, freshman infielder April Perez hit into a double play, but was able to score freshman Sara Whelehon, who came in as a pinch runner, from third and Arizaga from second.
 
The Hawks answered with two runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead. SDC limited the Cougars to only two singles in the final three innings as CSUSM fell by one run.