SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The No. 14 Cal State San Marcos softball team (31-3, 22-2 CCAA) recorded its second walk-off homer in two days to clinch the Cougars' fourth CCAA series sweep of the season (third consecutive). The Cougars claimed a 3-0 shutout in the doubleheader opener against San Francisco State (14-18, 7-13 CCAA) before Ryann Steiner blasted a walk-off in grand slam fashion with an 11-1 mercy-rule victory.

GAME 1: CSUSM 3 – SF State 0
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Paige Donnelly – 2-for-3 |
Morgan Salgado – 2-for-3 | 2 R | 1 SB
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars broke the stalemate in the fourth inning when Anessa Arredondo reached on an SF State error that enabled two runs to score to make it 2-0.
• CSUSM got an insurance run in the sixth inning when Kayla Mack sent one down the left line that scored Salgado to make it 6-0.
• CSUSM starter Savannah Coyle waved off a Gator rally in the top of the seventh, forcing a pop up with the bases loaded to end the game at 3-0.

 
QUICK HITS

• Coyle (13-1) recorded her second consecutive complete-game shutout, allowing only five hits and two walks while striking out a batter twice.
• Gator starter Kaitlyn Maddux took the loss after going 5.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk.
   

GAME 2: CSUSM 11 – SF State 1 (6 inn.)
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Bianca Gutierrez – 3-for-3 | 2 R | 1 SAC
Ryann Steiner – 2-for-3 | 4 RBIs | 2 R | 1 GS | 1 2B
Kayla Mack – 1-for-2 | 2 RBIs
Paige Donnelly – 1-for-2 | 2 R
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Gators struck in the first inning when Dani Guerrera scored on a failed pickoff attempt to take a 1-0 lead.
• CSUSM answered with their own run in the bottom of the frame when Morgan Salgado recorded a sacrifice fly that plated Gutierrez, who began the inning with a single down the left line.
• The Cougars broke the tie in the third, scoring four runs on three hits and two SF State errors to take a 5-1 lead. The first run was off Donnelly's sacrifice fly to center, followed by back-to-back RBI singles through the left side by Mack and Madison Waymire. Pinch runner Klarissa Munoz snuck in and scored on a Gator error.
• CSUSM knocked in two more runs in the fourth on Donnelly's RBI single through the left side that scored Steiner, who led off the inning with a double and a bases-loaded walk.
• In the sixth, Jamie Ponce led off with a single through the left side. Pinch hitter Sabrina Morales hit a two-out single through the left side ,and pinch hitter Rachel Jardim was drilled in the arm to load the bases. Steiner took the first pitch she saw and sent it over the left field wall to end the game.

 
QUICK HITS

• With Chico State splitting its series at Cal State Dominguez Hills, the Cougars now have a six-game lead in the CCAA standings for first place. 
• CSUSM starter Jayline Sloss (11-1) picked up the win after 6.0 innings of work, allowing one unearned run on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters.
• SF State starter Taylor Kelly (2-3) took the loss after 2.2 innings, allowing five runs (none earned) and no walks.
• Bianca Gutierrez and Donnelly each registered their team-leading 13th multi-hit game with Donnelly achieving it in the first game while Gutierrez did it in the nightcap.
• Steiner's home run was her third of the season.

 
UP NEXT
The No. 14 Cougars will embark on a 13-day hiatus before traveling to No. 2 Concordia University Irvine on April 9th for a nonconference doubleheader.