SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The (RV) Cal State San Marcos softball team (43-21) opened the 2025 NCAA Division II West Super Regional with a 9-1, six-inning mercy-ruled victory over No. 9 Western Washington on Thursday afternoon at CSUSM Softball Field.

TOP PERFORMERS
Mackenzie Kestler – 2-for-3 | 3 RBIs | 1 R | 1 SAC
Paige Donnelly – 2-for-4 | 1 R | 1 2B
Jillian Albayati – 2-for-4 | 2 RBIs | 2 2B
Czar Fleischman – 2-for-2 | 1 R | 2 RBIs | 1 2B | 1 BB
Aneesa Arredondo – 1-for-4 | 2 R
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUSM took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a 2-RBI double to right center by Jillian Albayati. 
• The Vikings pushed their lone run across in the top of the third on a fielder's choice by Hailey Rath to make it 2-1 CSUSM. 
• In the fourth inning, the Cougars pushed three more runs across on a Czar Fleischman 2-RBI double to left center and a Madison Waymire RBI single up the middle to make it 5-1. 
• The Cougars added another run in the fifth on a Mackenzie Kestler RBI single to right center. 
• CSUSM notched the win with three runs in the sixth inning as Gianna Lombardi hit an RBI single to left field before Kestler knocked out a 2-RBI single of the pitcher to win the game.

QUICK HITS

• Cougar pitcher Jayline Sloss (19-9) earned the win after tossing five innings and allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters.   
• WWU starting pitcher Alli Kimball (16-4) picked up the loss after allowing two runs on three hits while recording no outs.
• CSUSM reliever Savannah Coyle threw a shuout sixth inning with two strikeouts and a groundout. 
• The Cougars are now 3-3 in the all-time series against WWU and 1-0 when playing at CSUSM Softball Field.

UP NEXT
The Cougars will have two chances to secure the 2025 NCAA Division II West Super Regional title on Friday. The first game is slated to begin at 11 a.m. with the "if necessary" game following at approximately 1:30 p.m.