Cal State San Marcos Athletics

SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos softball team (53-9) delivered when it mattered most, bouncing back with a 4-0 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills (39-24) to punch its ticket to the NCAA Division II West Super Regional for the second consecutive season. Following a narrow 2-1 setback in Saturday's first game, the Cougars responded in dominant fashion to keep their postseason run alive and secure the right to host next weekend's Super Regional.

GAME 1: CSUSM 1 – CSUDH 2

TOP PERFORMERS
Angelina Rodriguez – 1-for-3 | 1 R | 1 RBI
Jillian Albayati – 1-for-2 | 2 BB
Zoe Karam – 1-for-3 | 1 BB
Kaila Siu – 1-for-1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Cal State San Marcos struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Angelina Rodriguez delivered a solo home run to center field, giving the Cougars an early 1-0 lead. The Cougars generated additional scoring chances throughout the middle innings, including a third-inning opportunity when Jillian Albayati reached and advanced into scoring position, but were unable to bring her home.
• Cal State Dominguez Hills broke through in the sixth inning when Makayla Bishop led off with a double to right center and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt before coming home on an RBI single by Tori Au to tie the game at 1-1.
• In the seventh inning, the Toros took the lead when Savanna Kastigar hit a solo home run to center field, making it 2-1. Cal State San Marcos responded in the bottom of the inning by putting the tying run in scoring position, but the Toros held on to secure the win.

QUICK HITS

• Audrey Gallegos (11-9) threw a complete game for the win, allowing one run on seven hits with three walks.
• CSUSM starter Daleah Cardenas (19-3) took the loss after going 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts.
• Relief pitcher Hailey Shiftlett worked 1.0 inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.
• Angelina Rodriguez accounted for the Cougars' lone run with her solo home run.

GAME 2: CSUSM 4 – CSUDH 0

TOP PERFORMERS
Jillian Albayati – 2-for-4 | 2 R | 1 RBI | 1 HR
Angelina Rodriguez – 3-for-3 | 2 RBI
Rae D'Amato – 2-for-3 | 1 2B
Czar Fleischman – 1-for-2 | 1 R | 1 RBI

HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUSM came out quickly in the bottom of the first inning when Jillian Albayati launched a solo home run to center field to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
• The Cougars extended their lead in the third inning after Albayati singled and Rae D'Amato doubled down the line to put two runners in scoring position. Czar Fleischman then brought home Albayati with an RBI single, and Angelina Rodriguez followed with a two-RBI single through the left side to score both D'Amato and Fleischman, making it 4-0.
• The Toros threatened in the sixth inning with consecutive hits, but Daleah Cardenas entered in relief and shut down the rally before finishing the final 1.2 innings to secure the shutout victory.

QUICK HITS

• CSUSM starter Jordan Hill (17-4) collected the win after pitching 5.1 innings, allowing six hits with two strikeouts.
• Daleah Cardenas (4) earned the save with 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing no runs.
• Audrey Gallegos (11-10) recorded the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings.
• Jillian Albayati hit her 16th home run of the season, tying Zoe Karam with 74 RBIs for the CSUSM and CCAA single-season record.
• This marked CSUSM's 14th shutout of the season.
• CSUSM faced the Toros seven times this season, with six at home, and won six of seven of the games. 

UP NEXT
The Cougars will return home to host the NCAA Division II West Super Regional for the second consecutive season, continuing their postseason run at the CSUSM Softball Field.