CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Cal State San Marcos softball team (57-11) delivered head coach
A.J. Robinson his 100th-career win as a head coach with a 7-1 triumph over North Georgia (52-11) during an NCAA Division II National Championship elimination game Saturday night/Sunday morning at Frost Stadium.
TOP PERFORMERS
Czar Fleischman – 2-for-3 | 2 R | 3 RBIs | 1 HR
Jillian Albayati – 1-for-3 | 2 R | 2 RBIs | 1 HR
Sarah Bull – 1-for-1 | 1 RBI
Rae D'Amato – 2-for-3
Kaila Siu – 1-for-2 | 1 R
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM wasted no time applying pressure in the bottom of the second inning. Czar Fleischman opened the frame by launching a solo home run to left field to give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead. The rally continued as Madilyn Novello singled, Kaila Siu followed with a perfectly placed bunt single, and Rae D'Amato lined a single to load the bases. After Jordan Elias reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in an out at the plate, Marissa Morales stepped in and lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Siu to tag and score and extend the lead to 2-0.
- The Cougars broke the game open in the fifth inning, beginning with Morales and Albayati leading off with back-to-back walks. After both advanced into scoring position on a ground out, Fleischman delivered a clutch single up the middle that plated both runners. After advancing on the throw home, Fleischman moved to third base to set up Sarah Bull, who came through with an RBI single to left field to bring Fleischman home and stretch the lead to 5-0.
- CSUSM continued to build momentum in the sixth inning. D'Amato reached on a single to center and was replaced by pinch runner Hannah Tandy. Following a sacrifice bunt by Morales that moved Tandy into scoring position, Albayati stepped to the plate and drove a two-run home run to center field, scoring Tandy and pushing the Cougar advantage to 7-0.
- North Georgia mounted its lone scoring threat in the top of the seventh. Marycille Brumby drew a walk and later advanced into scoring position as the Nighthawks loaded the bases with two outs. A fly ball to right field resulted in a throwing error that allowed Morgan Martin to score an unearned run, cutting the deficit to 7-1.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM starter Jordan Hill (20-4) earned the win, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
- Daleah Cardenas went the final 2.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit with three walks and one strikeout.
- Chloe Poss (24-8) took the loss for North Georgia after surrendering two runs on five hits in 2.0 innings.
- Robinson recorded his 100th career victory in just two years at the helm.
- Albayati recorded her 19th home run and raised her RBI total to 79, tying her with teammate Zoe Karam.
- CSUSM outhit North Georgia, 9-4.
UP NEXT
CSUSM will face McKendree at 10:30 a.m. (PDT) on Sunday, May 31. The Cougars need a win to force an "if necessary" game later on Sunday afternoon with a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championship final series on the line.
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