SEASIDE, Calif.  – The Cal State San Marcos softball team (22-17, 15-11 CCAA) recorded a split at Cal State Monterey Bay (26-20, 17-13 CCAA) on Friday, dropping game one 4-3 in eight innings before taking the nightcap 7-3.
 
GAME 1: CSUSM 3 – CSUMB 4 (8 inn.)
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Paige Donnelly – 2-for-4 | 3 RBIs | 1 2B | 2 BB
Bianca Gutierrez – 0-for-3 | 1 R | 1 BB | 1 SB
Savannah Coyle – 1-for-1 | 2 BB | 1 2B  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUMB took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Honorio.
• The Otters added two more runs in the third inning on Ally Alcayaga's sacrifice fly and her twin sister Abby's RBI single to left.
• The Cougars evened the game at 3-all on a bases-clearing double to left field by Donnelly.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Gutierrez made a diving catch in center for the third out to prevent the Otters from scoring the game-winning run and force extra innings.
• The Otters scored the game-winner on an Abby Alcayaga's groundout.
   

QUICK HITS

• Otter starter Cassie Gasper (15-8) collected the win after striking out nine and allowing three runs on three hits and six walks in a complete-game performance.
• Cougar starter Jayline Sloss got a no decision after going 6.1 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out two. 
• CSUSM reliever Coyle (10-6) picked up the loss after giving up one unearned run on two hits in 1.0 inning.
• Gutierrez saw her hitting streak come to an end at 10 games, but her reaching base safely streak is still alive at a team-leading 15 games.

GAME 2: CSUSM 7 – CSUMB 3
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Paige Donnelly – 1-for-4 | 3 RBIs | 1 HR
Aneesa Arredondo – 2-for-3 | 2 2B | 1 R
Bianca Gutierrez – 2-for-4
Mackenzie Kestler – 1-for-3 | 2 RBIs | 1 2B | 1 R
Makenzie Guiliano – 1-for-2 | 1 RBI | 1 R | 1 BB
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUMB got on the board in the second with a bases-loaded walk by Ivana Perez.
• The Cougars posted a big fourth inning, pushing seven runs across to take a 7-1 lead. Kestler drove in two runs on a double to left and scored on Guiliano's RBI single to left field before a fielder's choice brought Mayca Brown across the plate to make it 4-1. Donnelly capped off the scoring with a three-run homer to deep left field.
• Perez knocked in CSUMB's remaining two runs on a double to left field in the bottom of the sixth.

 
QUICK HITS

• Seven runs were the most given up by the Otters this season.
• Cougar starter Savannah Coyle (11-6) notched the win after going 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks.
• Otter starter Kassidy Stetler (9-12) had her shortest outing as a starter this season, taking the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks in 3.2 innings.
• Gutierrez recorded her team-leading 12th multi-hit game of the season while extending her streak of reaching base safely to 16 games.
• Donnelly registered her fourth 3-RBI game of the season, raising her season total to nine multi-RBI games which is the highest on the team.
• Donnelly's home run was her sixth of the season, tying Jillian Albayati for the most on the team.

 
UP NEXT
The Cougars will return to the Otter Sports Complex on Saturday to wrap up their series against Cal State Monterey Bay with an 11 a.m. twinbill.