SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos softball team (55-18) clinched its second trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships with a doubleheader sweep over Biola University (42-23), winning 10-2 in game one and 6-3 in 11 innings in game two on Friday at CSUSM Softball Field. The Cougars will return to the national stage for the first time since 2023.
GAME 1: CSUSM 10 – Biola 2
TOP PERFORMERS
Zoe Karam – 3-for-4 | 3 R | 1 HR | 4 RBI
Jillian Albayati – 4-for-5 | 2 R
Czar Fleischman – 2-for-4 | 2 RBI
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM struck immediately in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with consecutive hits from Marissa Morales, Jillian Albayati and Zoe Karam before Angelina Rodriguez drove in the first run with an RBI single. Czar Fleischman followed with an RBI single up the middle, Sarah Bull drew a bases-loaded walk, and Olivia Rivera added another RBI single through the left side. Alizabeth Ruiz capped the four-run frame with a sacrifice fly to left field, giving the Cougars a commanding early lead.
- The Cougars extended the lead in the second inning when Marissa Morales worked a leadoff walk and advanced into scoring position before Jillian Albayati singled. Zoe Karam then delivered the big swing of the day, blasting a three-run home run to right center to make it 7-0.
- After several scoreless innings, Cal State San Marcos added insurance in the sixth. Hannah Tandy advanced into scoring position before Angelina Rodriguez lined an RBI single to right center, and Karam later came around to score on a Biola fielding error to push the advantage to 9-0.
- Biola broke through in the bottom of the sixth as Jackie Ibarra singled and came around to score on a triple down the left-field line by Alexa Medley Sheard. Lillianna Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to left, trimming the deficit to 9-2.
- The Cougars answered in the seventh when Marissa Morales singled and advanced before Zoe Karam delivered an RBI single to center field to score the final run and secure the 10-2 victory.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM starter Jordan Hill (18-4) earned the win, tossing 5.0 shutout innings while allowing three hits with no walks.
- Biola starter Kayla Bousquette (18-6) took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in 0.1 inning.
- Zoe Karam finished with a game-high four RBIs, including a three-run home run for her 19th of the season.
- CSUSM recorded 16 hits and scored in four different innings.
- Biola opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Mikala Huskey reached base, moved up on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a throwing error to take a 1-0 lead.
- Cal State San Marcos answered in the top of the fifth as Jordan Elias drew a walk and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Marissa Morales. Jillian Albayati then delivered an RBI single that allowed Elias to score and even the game at 1-1.
- In the bottom of the seventh, Biola loaded the bases on Lillianna Ga double, Huskey walk and Lizzie Byer single. Jordan Hill, who entered the game in relief, forced an infield pop-up before a 8-4 double play by Czar Fleischman and Jordan Elias ended the inning, forcing extras.
- Both teams battled through a scoreless stretch into extra innings as strong pitching and defense kept the game tied. In the top of the 10th, the Cougars broke through when Fleischman was hit by a pitch and advanced before Malaia Huskey lined an RBI single up the middle to give CSUSM a 2-1 lead.
- Biola responded in the bottom of the 10th, putting runners in scoring position and capitalizing on a CSUSM error that allowed the tying run to cross, making it 2-2 and forcing another extra frame.
- In the top of the 11th, the Cougars delivered the decisive rally. Morales drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a single by Albayati. Rodriguez brought home the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice before Kaila Siu delivered the biggest hit of the game, tripling down the line to drive in two more runs and then scoring on a defensive miscue to extend the lead to 6-2.
- Biola added a run in the bottom of the 11th on an RBI groundout by Kennadie Tsue, but CSUSM closed out the inning to complete the 6-3 victory and secure victory.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM starter Daleah Cardenas (20-4) earned the win after throwing 8.0 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits with two walks.
- Hill pitched 3.0 scoreless innings in relief, allowing three hits while striking out one.
- Biola reliever Kayla Bousquette (18-7) took the loss after surrendering four runs on four hits in 3.0 innings of relief.
- Jillian Albayati notched her 24th double the season, making her the CCAA single-season leader in doubles.
- CSUSM tied the single-season win record originally set in 2012.
- The Cougars totaled 13 hits and six walks in the extra-inning victory.
UP NEXT
CSUSM will now be one of eight teams to head to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Finals being played May 28-June 3 at Frost Stadium. The eight teams will be separated into two double-elimination brackets with the bracket winners facing off in a best-of-three championship series.
