RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC San Diego split with California Baptist in an afternoon doubleheader on Wednesday in Riverside, Calif. The Tritons dropped game one, 4-2, but topped the Lancers in game two, 2-1.
 
In game one, the Tritons were led by center fielder Kelley Renner who went 2-for-3 at the plate with one run. Kaia Simpson got the start in game one and allowed two runs on four hits with one strikeout and no walks. Coming on in relief was Shelby Thompson who allowed two runs on four hits with no walks. In the bottom of the sixth, Gabby Williams came in as relief for Thompson with one out to go and allowed one hit.
 
In game two, second baseman Isabel Lavrov went 2-for-three at the plate with one run on two hits. Marissa Hassis and Clarissa Reynoso both recorded RBIs for the Tritons final score of 2-1. Jada Cecil pitched the full game and allowed one run on three hits with a career high of 15 strikeouts and one walk.
 
GAME ONE: UC SAN DIEGO 2, CALIFORNIA BAPTIST 4
An early error from the Tritons allowed the Lancers to score two unearned runs in the bottom of the second.
 
The Tritons tied the game in the top of third on two outs. Kelley Renner laced a single to right field and then reach second on a CBU error. On two outs, Bobbi Aguirre protected the plate through six pitches and a full count to walk. Gabby Williams stepped to the plate with runners on the corners and sent a line drive single down the right field foul line. Renner crossed home and another CBU error allowed Aguirre to score and Williams to advance to second.
 
The Lancers extended their lead in the sixth to 4-2. The Tritons were unable to respond in the top of the seventh.
 
GAME TWO: UC SAN DIEGO 2, CALIFORNIA BAPTIST 1
It was a pitchers' duel in the second game, as Jada Cecil of the Tritons and CBU's Amanda Argomaniz battled through three hitless innings and five scoreless innings.
 
In the top of the sixth, Bobbi Aguirre faced eight pitches and a full count to walk. Pinch running for Aguirre, Morgan Eng stole second to get into scoring position. Isabel Lavrov laced a single through the left side to advance Eng, and then stole second with Marissa Hassis at the plate. Recording her eighth RBI of the season, Hassis plated Eng as the Lancers hesitated on a fielder's choice. With Lavrov on third, Clarissa Reynoso brought her the final 60ft home to score with a single dropping into left field.
 
The Lancers responded in the bottom of the inning with one run. In the seventh, Cecil forced a ground out and struck out the final two Lancers to seal the Tritons' victory.

TRITON TIDBITS

• RHP Jada Cecil recorded a career high 15 strikeouts in game two of the matchup.
• In the past four games, first baseman Bobbi Aguirre has recorded a combined 28 putouts.
• UC San Diego was 8-16 after playing 24 games this time last year. This year's squad is now 12-12 as they head into conference play.
• The Tritons are now 3-10  all-time vs. the Lancers after Wednesday's split.

UP NEXT
UC San Diego is back at the Triton Softball Field for a three-game series vs. CSU Bakersfield, starting with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 20 with first pitch of game one at 1:00 pm. The Roadrunners will be back on Monday, March 21 starting at 12:00 pm. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.