CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Capping off the best finish in program history with a trip to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II National Championship, the Cal State San Marcos softball team (57-12) fell just short against McKendree (51-15) in a tightly contested 4-3 decision on Saturday at Frost Stadium. After jumping out to an early two-run lead in the opening inning, the Cougars battled throughout but were unable to overcome a decisive four-run second inning by the Bearcats.
TOP PERFORMERS
Czar Fleischman – 1-for-4 | 1 R | 1 RBI | 1 2B
Alizabeth Ruiz – 2-for-3 | 1 R
Malaia Huskey – 2-for-3
Sarah Bull – 1-for-3 | 1 RBI
Jillian Albayati – 0-for-1 | 1 R | 1 RBI | 2 BB
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM struck immediately in the top of the first inning as Jillian Albayati drew a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before Czar Fleischman delivered a clutch double to right field to bring her home for the game's opening run. Sarah Bull followed with a sharply hit single to center field, plating Fleischman from second and giving the Cougars a quick 2-0 advantage while applying early pressure on McKendree.
- McKendree answered in the bottom of the second inning with an explosive rally as Laynee Tapp opened with a single and Ali Grenzebach followed with another base hit to put two runners on before both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Molly Bartz then lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the first run of the inning, and after Addie Clark extended the rally with a single, Trista Moore delivered the biggest swing of the game with a two-run double to right center that pushed McKendree ahead. Later in the inning, Sami Huck kept the line moving with a bunt single before Lauren Harris added a sacrifice fly to cap a four-run frame and give McKendree a 4-2 lead.
- The Cougars responded in the fourth inning as Alizabeth Ruiz singled up the middle and Malaia Huskey followed with another base hit to set up a scoring opportunity. Jordan Elias then executed a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position before Albayati delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Ruiz to score and trim the deficit to 4-3.
- From that point forward, both teams settled into a defensive battle as Madison Cabrera entered in relief for Cal State San Marcos and delivered 4.2 strong scoreless innings, limiting McKendree to just two hits while keeping the Cougars within striking distance. Cal State San Marcos continued to apply pressure with hits in the fifth and sixth innings, placing runners on base and threatening to tie the contest, but McKendree's defense held firm in key moments and prevented any further scoring.Â
QUICK HITS
- McKendree's Sami Huck (28-6) earned the win after pitching a complete game, allowing three runs on nine hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
- CSUSM's Daleah Cardenas (20-6) took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits in 1.1 innings pitched.
- Cougar reliever Madison Cabrera tossed 4.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits with five strikeouts.
- CSUSM finished with nine hits compared to six for McKendree but stranded 11 runners to the Bearcats' five.Â
- The Cougars set multiple single-season program records during the 2026 season, including most wins (57), most doubles (108), most runs scored (441), most hits (2206), most walks (215), most RBIs (404), most intentional walks (6), most sacrifice flies (29) and most saves (14) in program history.
