HAYWARD, Calif. – The No. 1 Cal State San Marcos softball team (38-5, 20-4 CCAA) split Friday's doubleheader at No. 8 Cal State East Bay (31-9, 18-5 CCAA) at Pioneer Field, rolling to a 10-1 win in the opener before falling 4-3 in the nightcap.

GAME 1: CSUSM 10 - CSUEB 1

TOP PERFORMERS
Marissa Morales – 2-for-3 | 2 R | 1 RBI | 1 BB | 1 2B | 1 SF
Jillian Albayati – 2-for-3 | 2 R | 1 RBI | 2 BB | 1 2B
Zoe Karam – 2-for-4 | 1 R | 5 RBIs | 1 HR
Angelina Rodriguez – 1-for-3 | 1 R | 1 RBI | 1 2B
Czar Fleischman – 1-for-5 | 1 R | 1 RBI | 1 2B
Jordan Elias – 2-for-3 | 1 R | 1 SB
Daleah Cardenas – 4.1 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 2 K

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After East Bay scored once in the third, CSUSM answered immediately in the top of the fourth. Rae D'Amato singled down the left-field line, and Jordan Elias followed with a single before both advanced on a wild pitch. Marissa Morales singled up the middle to tie the game, and a walk to Jillian Albayati loaded the bases. Zoe Karam delivered a two-run single up the middle, and an error at first allowed a third run to score for a 3-1 Cougar lead.
• CSUSM added three more in the sixth. Morales doubled to left and moved to third on a passed ball before scoring on Karam's RBI groundout. Angelina Rodriguez doubled down the left-field line to score another run, and Czar Fleischman doubled to left center to make it 6-1.
• The Cougars broke the game open with a four-run seventh. Sarah Bull doubled to left center, and after a groundout and hit-by-pitch, Morales lifted a sacrifice fly to center. Albayati doubled to center to score Jordan Elias, and Karam followed with a two-run homer to left.
• Cardenas closed out the final 4.1 innings without allowing a run.

QUICK HITS

• CSUSM reliever Daleah Cardenas recorded the win after allowing only two hits in 4.1 scoreless innings.
• East Bay starter Marissa Quintero (21-4) took the loss after giving up nine hits and six runs (five earned).
• Five Cougars recorded extra-base hits including Zoe Karam's 10th home run of the season.  
• CSUSM tallied 12 hits and scored in each of the final four innings.

GAME 2: CSUEB 4 - CSUSM 3

TOP PERFORMERS
Zoe Karam – 1-for-3 | 1 R | 1 RBI | 1 HR
Jillian Albayati – 1-for-3 | 1 2B | 2 RBIs
Czar Fleischman – 1-for-2 | 1 2B | 1 SB
Sarah Bull – 1-for-3 | 1 2B
Jordan Hill – 1.2 IP | 3 H | 2 R | 2 ER | 1 K
Madison Cabrera – 5.0 IP | 4 H | 2 R | 2 ER | 3 K

HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUSM struck first in the third inning when Olivia Rivera walked and Kaila Siu followed with a walk. Jillian Albayati doubled to left to drive in both runners for a 2-0 lead.
• East Bay responded in the bottom of the third. Sarissa Block singled and advanced to third on a single by Jeslyn Cuellar before stealing home. Morales then singled to center to score Cuellar and tie the game at 2-2.
• The Cougars regained the lead in the sixth when Zoe Karam homered to left to make it 3-2.
• East Bay tied the game in the bottom half on an RBI single by Reagan Hallett. In the seventh, with two outs, Cuellar hit an inside-the-park home run to center to give the Pioneers the walk-off win.

QUICK HITS

• East Bay's Jaidyn Gamble (8-5) earned the complete-game win, allowing four hits and three runs.
• Jordan Hill (13-3) took the loss after allowing two late runs in relief.
• CSUSM recorded four extra-base hits, including Karam's 11th home run of the season and doubles by Sarah Bull, Czar Fleischman and Jillian Albayati.
• The Cougars now lead the all-time series 27-12 against East Bay and are 10-4 when playing in Hayward.

UP NEXT
CSUSM returns home for its final regular‑season home series, hosting Cal Poly Humboldt beginning on Friday, April 17 with a 1 p.m. doublehader at CSUSM Softball Field. The four‑game CCAA matchup continues Saturday, April 18, with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. Following the twin bill, the Cougars will honor their four seniors: Jillian Albayati, Jordan Elias, Czar Fleischman and Jordan Hill.