SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The No. 2 Cal State San Marcos softball team (34-3, 16-2 CCAA) rode a walk-off home run from Jillian Albayati in the series opener and a six-run offensive outburst in game two to sweep Cal State Dominguez Hills (24-17, 6-12 CCAA) by scores of 3-2 and 7-4 on Thursday at CSUSM Softball Field.

GAME 1: CSUSM 3 – CSUDH 2

TOP PERFORMERS
Jillian Albayati – 2-for-4 | HR | 3 RBIs | 1 2B
Madilyn Novello – 3-for-3
Czar Fleischman – 1-for-3
Rae D'Amato – 1-for-1 | 1 2B
Hailey Shiftlett – 2.0 IP | 1 H | 0 R

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Dominguez Hills struck first in the top of the third after a leadoff single and sacrifice bunt set up a run-scoring triple to left, giving the Toros a one-run lead. CSUSM threatened in the bottom half when Zoe Karam reached on a walk, but a flyout ended the inning.
• The Toros added another run in the fourth, stringing together a double, single and an RBI infield hit to make it 2–0. CSUSM continued to put runners aboard in the fourth and fifth, including a double by Albayati in the fifth, but could not break through.
• The Cougars finally broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh. Angelina Rodriguez reached on an error to start the inning, and Rae D'Amato followed with a double to left center to put two runners in scoring position. After a groundout, Albayati delivered the decisive swing, launching a three-run homer to right field to walk off the game and complete the comeback.

QUICK HITS

• CSUSM reliever Hailey Shiftlett (3–1) earned the win with two shutout innings, allowing one hit with one strikeout.
• Dominguez Hills reliever Audrey Gallegos (5–7) took the loss after allowing the game-winning homer.
• CSUSM tallied eight hits and played error-free defense.
• Albayati's raised her CCAA-leading home run total to 12. 

GAME 2: CSUSM 7 – CSUDH 4

TOP PERFORMERS
Zoe Karam – 1-for-2 | 2 RBIs | 1 BB
Angelina Rodriguez – 1-for-2 | 1 3B | 1 R
Lauren Deplitch – 1-for-2 | 1 RBI
Sarah Bull – 1-for-1 |  1 RBI
Jordan Elias – 1-for-2 | 2 RBIs | 1 R
Daleah Cardenas – 7.0 IP | 8 H | 4 R | 2 SO

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Dominguez Hills opened the scoring in the second with a solo homer to center.
• CSUSM responded immediately in the bottom half when Angelina Rodriguez tripled down the right-field line and scored on a shortstop single by Lauren Deplitch to tie the game. The Cougars kept the inning rolling with four straight hits, including RBI singles from Rae D'Amato and Jordan Elias, who drove in two and advanced to second on the throw. A groundout by Kaila Siu brought home another run, and Zoe Karam capped the six-run frame with a two-RBI single to left center.
• The Toros added an unearned run in the third after an error and a single set up a run-scoring play, but Daleah Cardenas worked out of further trouble. CSUSM added an insurance run in the fifth when Jillian Albayati doubled and later scored on a pinch-hit RBI single from Sarah Bull.
• Dominguez Hills rallied for two runs in the seventh on three straight hits, but Cardenas induced a flyout and a groundout to end the game and secure the sweep.

QUICK HITS

• CSUSM starter Daleah Cardenas (13–0) earned the complete-game win, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
• Dominguez Hills starter Audrey Gallegos (5–7) took the loss after surrendering seven runs on seven hits in five innings.
• CSUSM recorded seven hits and turned two double plays.
• The Cougars remain undefeated at home at 14–0 and have won 10 straight games.
• CSUSM leads the all-time series against the Toros at 25-23 and is 12-10 when playing at home. 

UP NEXT
CSUSM will finish its four-game series against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday, April 3, with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. at CSUSM Softball Field.