SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos softball team swept Cal State East Bay in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) doubleheader, Saturday at CSUSM Softball Field. The Cougars won game one by a score of 8-7 in nine innings and game two by a score of 7-2. CSUSM takes the four-game series from the Pioneers, 3-1.
 
The Cougars improve to 5-10 overall and 4-6 in conference play. CSUEB is now 8-8 overall and 4-8 in the CCAA.
 
CSUSM will play San Francisco State in a four-game road series on Friday and Saturday, March 10-11. Friday's doubleheader will start at noon. Action will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
 
Game One - Cal State San Marcos 8, Cal State East Bay 7 (9 innings)
Senior outfielder Holly Fauria knocked in the game-winning run as CSUSM defeated CSUEB in nine innings, 8-7.
 
Freshmen infielders Gabriela Arizaga and Abby Callais each hit home runs. Arizaga finished 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs. Callais went 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run. Freshman pitcher Cheyenne Alvarez started the game and threw the first three frames. Senior pitcher Ashley Dagenais threw the next six frames, struck out six and earned the win.
 
The Cougars got things going in the first with a Callais three-run home run. The Pioneers answered with a run in the top of the second to make it a 3-1 game.
 
CSUSM made it a three-run contest as junior catcher Heather Rygg hit an RBI single to plate Arizaga. The Cougars had a disastrous top of the fourth as CSUEB put up five runs to take a 6-4 lead.
 
CSUSM responded with a three-run homer from Callais in the bottom of the fourth to go up, 7-6. With one out in the seventh, Tanya Galvan hit an RBI single as the Pioneers evened the score 7-7.
 
In the ninth inning, junior outfielder Sara Whelehon tripled to get on base. Fauria laced a single in the next at bat to score Fauria as the Cougars prevailed.
 
Game Two - Cal State San Marcos 7, Cal State East Bay 2
CSUSM scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back, taking down CSUEB 7-2.
 
Senior pitcher Amanda Horbasch earned the win, throwing the first 5.1 innings, giving up two runs. Freshman pitcher Karen Roman threw the last 1.2 frames and was credited with the save.
 
Callais went 2-for-3 with one run and two RBI. Fauria was 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
 
Callais plated two with a single in the bottom of the first to bring home Arizaga and senior outfielder Breanna Stiles. Later in the inning, Whelehon hit one through the right side to score Callais as the Cougars grabbed a 3-0 lead.
 
CSUEB scored one run apiece in the third and sixth innings to make it a 3-2 contest.
 
The Cougars got four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to win by five.