TURLOCK, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos softball team wrapped up its first appearance in Stanislaus State's Tournament of Champions with a 4-3 victory over Chaminade on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars dropped their earlier game by a score of 12-2 in five innings to Academy of Art.
 
Junior Kat Calderon went 3-for-5 on the day with two runs while sophomore Karen Roman notched four RBIs on a 2-for-3 hitting performance. Junior Caitlin Vinyard (4-12) picked up the win, striking out three and walking none in her complete game in the circle.
 
The Cougars return to Turlock next weekend to face Stanislaus State in a four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) series beginning on Friday, March 30.
 
GAME 1: Academy of Art 12 – CSUSM 2
After Art U recorded a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the first, CSUSM answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Calderon drew a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on junior Rae Camez's single up the middle. Sophomore Abby Callais manufactured a run on a groundout to second to even the score at 1-1. Roman's RBI single up the middle scored Camez and gave CSUSM a 2-1 lead.
 
Unfortunately, the lead didn't last long as Art U tacked on two runs in the second and nine runs on seven hits and three CSUSM errors in the third.
 
Art U's Gabi Hirsch went 3-for-4 with three runs and a stolen base.
 
GAME 2: CSUSM 4 – Chaminade 3
The Swords scored all three of their runs in the first inning on four hits, including a double by Jackie Najera and a CSUSM error.
 
In the bottom of the first, Calderon and Camez each singled while Fisher drew a walk to load the bases. Roman got belted by a pitched in the shoulder to give CSUSM its first run of the game.
 
Roman's RBI line shot to center made it a 3-2 ballgame in the bottom of the third.
 
In the fifth, senior Lindsay Cerulle led off with a blooper behind the shortstop and later scored on junior Kammy Fisher's right field Texas Leaguer to even the game at 3-3 with one out. Roman connected on a hard shot to shortstop for an RBI groundout to put CSUSM up 4-3.
 
The Swords threatened in the top of the seventh with back-to-back singles with two outs. On a pop up in front of second base, Vinyard was determined not to let the ball fall as she made the catch over her shoulder to end the game and give CSUSM the 4-3 win.