ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – A big eight-run first inning set up the Cal State San Marcos softball team for a 10-5 nightcap win over No. 15 Sonoma State. The Cougars fell 17-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) doubleheader opener at Seawolf Softball Field.
 
Junior Kat Calderon went 4-for-6 with a double and a run while senior Lindsay Cerulle was 3-for-5 with a triple on the day.
 
CSUSM returns home for a four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) series against Cal State Monterey Bay on March 16-17.
 
GAME 1: SSU 17 – CSUSM 1 (5 inn.)
The Seawolves put up six runs in both the first and third innings, sandwiched by a single run in the second to take a 13-0 lead.
 
After four runs in the fourth, CSUSM avoided a shutout with a run in the fifth. Sophomore Abby Callais drew a leadoff walk and advanced after freshman Kymmie Woken was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Melody Forstie singled up the middle to score Callais.
 
SSU's Brielle Vidmar (8-2) forced a fly out and consecutive force outs at home to end the game. Five Seawolves registered two hits with Sarah Langley and Cierra Hylton recording four RBIs apiece.
 
 
GAME 2: CSUSM 10 – SSU 5
CSUSM carried its momentum into the second game, scoring eight runs on six hits in the opening frame.
 
Junior Rae Camez drew a leadoff single and advanced on a Cerulle sacrifice bunt. Calderon singled and freshman Janaea Mason reached on a fielder's choice sac bunt to load the bases. Callais earned a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk to give CSUSM its first run. Freshman Jaqlyn Newhouser singled and freshman Aliya Machrone drew another walk to force two more runs across before SSU made a pitching change. The Cougars continued their offensive attack with seniors Karla Bernal and Sara Langdon hitting back-to-back RBI singles. Camez recorded a sacrifice fly before Cerulle hit a 2-RBI triple to center field to end CSUSM's scoring in the inning.
 
SSU put a run up in the bottom of the frame and three more in the second to make it 8-4.
 
CSSUM added two insurance runs in the third inning. Langdon registered a leadoff walk and moved to third on Camez's double to right field. A Calderon walk loaded the bases before Mason singled to center to plate Langdon. Camez scored on a fielder's choice by Callais.
 
The Seawolves scored their final run in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI single by Alex Flores, who led SSU's offense by going 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
 
Junior Skie Munoz (1-3) earned the win in relief, tossing 5.2 innings and giving up only one run on two hits.