HAYWARD, Calif. - The UC San Diego softball team split a four-game series at Cal State East Bay after dropping two games on Saturday. The Pioneers took game one, 5-2, before securing the doubleheader sweep with an 8-0 run-rule win in the closer.
The Tritons had a stellar start to the series, winning both games on Friday with scores of 10-0 and 2-1. UCSD drops to 24-22 overall and 14-18 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) while CSUEB improves to 25-22 with a 13-19 conference mark.
Game One
Getting the start in game one, right-handed pitcher Hannah Duarte impressed in her first two innings. After CSUEB led off with a single, Duarte retired the next three batters in order to strand Gabby Gonzalez at third.
The junior worked another scoreless frame in the second. Duarte allowed two runners on base on two walks, but struck out two and ended the inning when Nikki Foster grounded out to second.
The Tritons scored the first run of the game in the third frame. With Kendall Baker on third after reaching on a single, Bianca Devoto hit a double down the left field line for a 1-0 lead.
CSUEB answered back with two-run homer from Jaynie MacDonald in the bottom of the inning.
Both sides went down in order in the fourth inning, but the Pioneers extended their lead in the fifth. Foster started the inning with a single and in the next at bat, Gonzalez doubled for the 3-1 advantage. In the sixth, CSUEB tacked on two more runs on a fielder's choice and a RBI single.
Down to their final three outs of the game, the Tritons opened up the seventh inning with a solo home run from McKenna Clewett. The junior cleared the left field fence to cut UCSD's deficit to 5-2. Unfortunately, Emily Perlich retired the next three batters to secure CSUEB's first win of the series.
Game Two
In the series finale, the Tritons struggled to get anything going offensively as the Pioneers won 8-0.
CSUEB jumped out to a big lead early as they scored four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first. With bases loaded Kelsie LaVaute singled to drive in the first run of the game. Then with two outs, Casey Vela and Brittany Enny hit back-to-back singles to take a 4-0 lead. Senior Mo Omori then came out to replace Alexis Edwards in the circle and ended the inning.
Omori started off the second inning giving up a hit before retiring the next three batters. But the Tritons found trouble again in the third inning.
With two runners in scoring position, the Pioneers scored on an error. Then with two runners on base and two outs, MacDonald hit her second home run of the day to put CSUEB up 8-0.
Sierra Clark worked a scoreless fourth and fifth inning to record a complete game shutout against UCSD.
The Tritons will return home for their final series against Cal State San Bernardino next weekend.
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