SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The No. 1 Cal State San Marcos softball team (22‑1, 4‑0 CCAA) opened conference play in dominant fashion with a four-game series sweep, winning both games on Saturday against Stanislaus State (11‑9, 0‑4 CCAA) to extend its winning streak to 20 games. CSUSM took game one by a 6-1 margin before securing a 6-3 victory in the series finale at CSUSM Softball Field.
CSUSM 6 – STANISLAUS STATE 1
TOP PERFORMERS
Kaila Siu – 3 R | 1 H | 1 SB.
Rae D'Amato – 2-for-4 | 1 RBI.
Jillian Albayati – 2-for-4 | 1 RBI.
Zoe Karam – 2-for-4 | HR | 3 RBIs.
Angelina Rodriguez – 2-for-3 | HR | 1 RBI.
Madison Cabrera – 5.1 IP | 5 H | 1 R (0 ER) | 0 BB | 4 K.
Hailey Shiftlett – 1.2 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 0 K (Save).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM struck early in the opening inning as Kaila Siu walked, advanced into scoring position and later swiped third, setting up Zoe Karam's RBI single to make it 1-0.
- The Cougars added three in the fourth, starting with Angelina Rodriguez's solo home run to center. A bunt single by Jordan Elias and a throwing error extended the inning before Rae D'Amato and Jillian Albayati delivered consecutive RBI singles for a 4-0 lead.
- After the Warriors scratched across an unearned run in the sixth, Karam blasted a two‑run homer to left in the bottom half to push the lead to 6-1.
QUICK HITS
- Madison Cabrera (4-0) earned the win after throwing 5.1 strong innings with five hits allowed, one unearned run, no walks and four strikeouts.
- Stanislaus State's Alexis Camberos took the loss after allowing four earned runs on six hits in 3.1 innings
- Hailey Shiftlett (2) closed the door with a 1.2‑inning save without allowing a hit.
- CSUSM finished with 11 hits and two home runs in the opener, getting long balls from Angelina Rodriguez and Zoe Karam to power the offense.
- The Cougars added pressure on the basepaths as Kaila Siu and Jordan Munn each stole a base.
- Stanislaus State committed two errors, and both miscues came in innings when CSUSM scored.
CSUSM 6 – STANISLAUS STATE 3
TOP PERFORMERS
Kaila Siu – 3-for-4 | 2 R | 2B
Jillian Albayati – 4-for-4 | 2 RBIs | 2B
Olivia Rivera – 2-for-4 | HR | 3 RBIs
Madilyn Novello – 3-for-3
Jordan Hill – 5.0 IP | 7 H | 3 R | 1 BB | 3 K
Daleah Cardenas – 2.0 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 2 BB | 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM erupted for three runs in the first, highlighted by Jillian Albayati's RBI single followed by Olivia Rivera's two‑run homer to left for a 3–0 lead.
- The Cougars made it 4–1 in the second when Albayati plated Siu with a single up the middle. Stanislaus State closed to 4–2 in the third and 4–3 in the fifth on a sacrifice fly.
- In the bottom of the fifth, Sarah Bull ripped an RBI double down the right‑field line to score pinch‑runner Hannah Tandy, restoring a two‑run cushion at 5–3.
- CSUSM tacked on insurance in the sixth as Rivera singled home pinch‑runner Lauren Deplitch to cap the scoring at 6–3. Daleah Cardenas recorded the final six outs to earn the save.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM's Jordan Hill (8-1) collected the win after five innings of three‑run ball with seven hits allowed, one walk and three strikeouts.
- Stanislaus State starter Nat Camarena took the loss after permitting five earned runs on 13 hits in 4.2 innings.
- Daleah Cardenas earned her first save of the season with two scoreless, hitless frames to finish it.
- The Cougar offense piled up 15 hits in the nightcap, including four by Jillian Albayati and three by both Madilyn Novello and Kaila Siu.
- CSUSM raised its all-time series lead to 23-16 over the Warriors and have won the last nine consecutive meetings.
UP NEXT
CSUSM hits the road next week for a four‑game CCAA series at Chico State, beginning Friday, March 13 at Wildcat Softball Field.
