HAYWARD, Calif – The No. 6 Cal State San Marcos softball team (8-3, 5-1 CCAA) split its doubleheader at Cal State East Bay (11-7, 4-2 CCAA) on Friday afternoon. The Cougars took game one, 5-3, before falling in the nightcap, 5-4, to the Pioneers.
 
CSUSM 5 – CSUEB 3
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Paige Donnelly – 3-for-4 | 1 RBI | 1 2B
Madison Waymire – 1-for-4 | 1 R | 1 2B
Jillian Albayati – 1-for-4 | 1 R | 1 RBI
Anessa Arredondo – 1-for-3 | 1 RBI | 1 2B
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUSM began the game with back-to-back doubles by Waymire and Albayati to score the first run before Donnelly followed with an RBI single up the middle to put the Cougars up 2-0.
• East Bay responded with a three-run homer by Annelise Garcia in the bottom of the third.
• The Cougars took advantage of two CSUEB errors, scoring three runs to get back on top in the top of the sixth inning at 5-3.
• With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, CSUSM reliever Zoe Ballen drew out a fielder's choice to clinch the win.

 
QUICK HITS

• Ballen (2-0) collected the win after tossing 3.2 shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out two.
• CSUSM starter Savannah Coyle got a no-decision after 3.1 innings in the circle, giving up three runs on one hit while allowing three walks and striking out two.  
• CSUEB starter Anamaria Beard (6-3) took the loss after relinquishing five runs (four earned) on nine hits.
• The Cougars tallied a season-best five doubles in the contest.

 
CSUSM 4 – CSUEB 5
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Madison Waymire – 2-for-4 | 1 R | 1 RBI | 1 2B
Bianca Gutierrez – 2-for-4 | 1 RBI | 1 2B
Paige Donnelly – 1-for-4 | 1 RBI
Makenzie Guiliano – 1-for-2 | 1 R | 1 BB
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars struck first in the top of the first on Donnelly's RBI single up the middle that plated Waymire who led off the game with a knock to right field.
• The CSUSM lead was short lived as the Pioneers went up 3-1 in the bottom of the frame on Adriana Martinez's RBI double, Annelise Garcia RBI single and a fielder's choice.
• CSUEB extended its lead in the bottom of the third on a Keira Cahalan RBI single and a bases-loaded walk that made it 5-1.
• In the fourth inning, the Cougars cut the gap to 5-3 on a two-out RBI single by Guiliano and a Pioneer error.
• Waymire's RBI double in the sixth inning to left center made it a one-run game at 5-4.
• The Cougars threatened in the top of the seventh as Gutierrez hit a one-out single through the right side but Pioneer reliever Savannah Barchus retired the final two batters for the win.

 
 
QUICK HITS

• CSUSM starter Jayline Sloss (3-2) recorded the loss after 2.2 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out three.
• Pioneer starter Keira Cahalan (2-2) earned the win after 5.2 innings of work, registering four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks.
• Barchus (1) collected her first save of the season after 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit.  
• Gutierrez has reached base in all 11 games this season.
• Albayati extended her hitting streak to nine games.

 
UP NEXT
The Cougars wrap up their four-game series at Cal State East Bay with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25.