SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The top-seeded Cal State San Marcos softball team (44-12) punched its ticket to the 2022 NCAA Division II West Super Regional after recording two consecutive wins over Sonoma State (42-18) on Saturday at CSUSM Softball Field. The Cougars won the first game, 4-3, in 10 innings before taking game two, 3-1.
CSUSM 4 – SSU 3 (10 innings)
TOP PERFORMERS
Nikki Andelin – 3-for-5 | 1 R | 1 2B
Bianca Gutierrez – 3-for-5 | 1 RBI | 1 R
Ryann Steiner – 2-for-5 | 1 2B
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Andelin got things started in the first with a line drive double off the center wall, and Donnelly followed with a Texas Leaguer behind the shortstop to put runners on the corners. Lombardi then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to left, and Gutierrez hit a 1-out RBI single up the middle to plate Donnelly to take a 2-0 lead.
- The Seawolves took advantage of a CSUSM error with a run in the top of the second as Hensley knocked in a run on a single up the middle to make it 2-1 CSUSM.
- The Seawolves evened the game at 2-all in the top of the fourth on Avalos' RBI single up the middle.
- Back-to-back doubles by SSU put them up 3-2 in the 10th.
- In the bottom of the frame, Gutierrez led off with a single through the right side, and Steiner followed with a single to right. Salgado's bunt single in front of home plate loaded the bases with no outs. Waymire then sent the ball to shallow right to give CSUSM the walk-off win.
QUICK HITS
- Savannah Coyle (19-4) entered the game in relief and went 6.1 innings for the win, allowing one run on three hits and one walk.
- Jayline Sloss started the game for CSUSM and went 3.2 innings, relinquishing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks.
- Coyle and Sloss combined for eight strikeouts in the contest.
- SSU starter Jesse DuPuis (16-5) picked up the loss after tossing 9.0 innings, giving up four runs on 13 hits and two walks.
- Andelin recorded her fifth three-hit game of the season.
- Gutierrez registered her team-leading 24th multi-hit game of the season and her third three-hit game.
CSUSM 3 – SSU 1
TOP PERFORMERS
Paige Donnelly – 1-for-3 | 1 RBI
Gianna Lombardi – 1-for-3 | 1 RBI
Nikki Andelin – 1-for-2 | 1 R | 1 SF
Ryann Steiner – 1-for-3 | 1 R
Morgan Salgado – 1-for-3 | 1 2B
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cougars took a 1-0 lead on an Arredondo sac fly to deep right field that plated Steiner in the bottom of the second.
- The Seawolves answered with a run in the top of the third on Jordyn Martinez's sacrifice fly to center and evened the game at 1-all.
- CSUSM retook the lead in the bottom of the frame on Lombardi's single up the middle that plated Andelin after she reached on an error to begin the inning.
- In the fifth, the Cougars added an insurance run after Delaney Prater led off the inning with a single to center, advanced to second on Andelin's sacrifice bunt and scored on Donnelly's single up the middle.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM starting pitcher Zoe Ballen (7-4) collected the win after tossing a complete game, allowing just one unearned run on five hits and one walk. She struck out three batters in the game.
- SSU starting pitcher Camille Rodrigues (14-5) recorded the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four batters.
- CSUSM finished the season with a 5-2 recorded against the Seawolves.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will find out Monday, May 16 if they will be hosting the NCAA Division II West Super Regional on May 19-20.