IRVINE, Calif. – The sixth-seeded Cal State San Marcos softball team (32-19) came from behind to win its first NCAA Division II West Regional Championship with a 4-3 victory over top-seeded No. 11 Concordia University Irvine (48-13) in Friday's West Super Regional at Golden Eagle Field.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Madison Waymire – 2-for-3 | 1 HR | 1 RBI
Mackenzie Kestler – 1-for-3 | 1 2B
Aneesa Arredondo – 1-for-3
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After two scoreless innings, CUI broke that up in the top of the third with a two-out RBI double to right center by Megan Massa, an RBI single to left by Mary Baccay and a CSUSM throwing error to go up 3-0.
• A two-out fielding error in right field by CUI allowed Makenzie Guiliano to score from second and cut CSUSM's deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the third.
• With two on and no outs in the bottom of the sixth, Bianca Gutierrez scored from third on a wild pitch to the backstop before an errant throw to the plate allowed Klarissa Munoz to score the tying run. Waymire then proceeded to put a 0-2 pitch over the left center wall to give CSUSM its first lead of the day at 4-3.
• Savannah Coyle came on in relief to close out the final inning for CSUSM and proceeded to get a strikeout, fly out to center and a foul out behind the plate to capture the program's first West Regional Championship.

 
QUICK HITS

• CSUSM starter Jayline Sloss (11-7) earned her fifth consecutive win of the NCAA Tournament as she struck out four while allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch in 6.0 innings.
• CUI starter Daniela Alvarez (12-4) took the loss as she allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5.0 innings.
• Savannah Coyle earned her fourth save of the season as she struck out one in one inning of work.
• CSUSM has still yet to lose a game in the NCAA Tournament this season and is 5-0.
• The Cougars are the eighth team in the CCAA to win the Region Championship despite not clinching the conference's regular-season or tournament title.
• CSUSM has outscored the opposition 38-5 in its five NCAA Tournament games this season.
• The Cougars have turned two double plays in a game four times this season with three of those coming against the Golden Eagles.
• Kestler has now reached base in 17 consecutive games and has the longest active hitting streak on the team at seven games.
• This was CSUSM's third win of the season with four or fewer hits. 
• Head Coach Stef Ewing now has 98 career wins – all at CSUSM.

UP NEXT
CSUSM will now be one of eight teams to head to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Finals being played May 25-31 at Frost Stadium. The eight teams will be separated into two double-elimination brackets with the bracket winners facing off in a best-of-three championship series.