RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC San Diego hits the road to face the UC Riverside Highlanders this weekend at the Amy S. Harrison Softball Field for a three-game series matchup. The series opens with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 30 scheduled for 1 pm. The series will end on Sunday, May 1 with a single game scheduled for 1 pm. All three games will broadcast on ESPN+.
 
The Tritons head into the series 22-22 overall and 10-8 in the Big West to face the Highlanders who are 18-22 overall and 9-9 in the Big West.
 
THE MATCHUP
UC Riverside currently sits in sixth in the Big West at 9-9. Headed into the series, the Highlanders are on a one-game winning streak after taking the series over CSUN, 2-1. The Highlanders have taken a game from Cal State Fullerton, Hawai'i, and Long Beach, all leaders in the Big West.
 
At the plate, UC Riverside is led by senior Haylee Kela who is batting an average of .348 with two triples, two homeruns, and 24 RBI in her 132 at-bats. Kela is also 6-for-6 on the base paths. Two Highlanders, Marissa Burk and Gigi Araki, have recorded six homeruns this season.
 
Senior Chrys Hildebrand leads the Highlanders from in the circle with a 3.66 ERA. In 110.2 innings of work, Hildebrand has recorded 155 strikeouts and is second in the conference for batters struck out looking. Her opponents are batting an average .205 against her and she is 9-8 this season.
 
Coming off a series win over UC Davis (19-24, 7-10), the Tritons (22-22, 10-8) are led by Isabel Lavrov at the plate who is batting an average of .346 with 29 runs, 44 hits, four home runs, 27 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 44 games. Keila Bosinger adds support at the plate with 42 hits, 25 runs, six home runs, and 23 RBI. Bosinger leads UC San Diego in slugging, averaging .537 percent.
 
In the circle, Jada Cecil (15-3) continues to shut down teams with her dominant power pitching. She has recorded 192 strikeouts in her 28 appearances with a 1.60 ERA. Her opponents are batting an average .168 against her at the plate. Cecil now leads the Big West in seven different pitching categories.

LAST TIME OUT
On April 23, in the Saturday afternoon doubleheader, UC San Diego split the final two games of the series with UC Davis, 1-1. The Tritons move to 22-22 overall and 10-8 in the Big West. The Aggies drop to 19-24 overall and 7-10 in the Big West.

In game one, Gabby Williams got the start for the Tritons, allowing no runs on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Four unearned runs were recorded during Williams' time in the circle. Shelby Thompson came in for one inning of work, allowing one run on two hits with no walks. Finishing in the circle, Kaia Simpson allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts and no walks. At the plate, Isabel Lavrov who went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI recorded, and Clarissa Reynoso recorded three RBI and went 3-for-3 at the plate.
 
Jada Cecil got the start for the Tritons in game two and allowed no runs on three hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Kaia Simpson relieved Cecil in the seventh, allowing no runs, no hits, and no walks to seal the shutout win. Playing shortstop in game two, Deena Pederson went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. Isabel Lavrov recorded two runs going 1-for-2, and on her solo-hit of the game, Keila Bosinger recorded three RBI in her two at-bats.
 
UP NEXT
UC San Diego heads to CSUN for a three-game series in Northridge, Calif. The series opens with a doubleheader on Friday, May 6 beginning at 3:00 pm and will finish on Saturday, May 7 with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm. Live stats will be available on UCSDTritons.com.
 
CECIL NAMED TO SCHUTT SPORTS/NFCA DIVISION I NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR TOP 25
On April 28, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the 25 finalists for the 2022 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award, which included UC San Diego's right-handed pitcher Jada Cecil.
 
Cecil has recorded a dominant year for the Tritons, leading the team from in the circle with a 1.60 ERA, 15 wins in 28 appearances, two shutouts, 192 strikeouts, and a 0.81 WHIP. Her opponents are batting an average of .168 against her and leads the Big West conference in seven different pitching categories.

UC San Diego is one of 12 programs represented on the top 25 list for the first time in the award's eight-year history.
 
ESPNU TO BROADCAST TRITONS' APRIL SHOWDOWN AT FULLERTON
The Big West announced four telecasts on ESPNU this spring featuring championship-caliber teams in men's volleyball, softball, and baseball.  – including a UC San Diego softball game at Big West preseason favorite Cal State Fullerton in April.
 
On Friday, April 15, Big West softball took center stage when Cal State Fullerton, ranked No. 1 in the Big West preseason poll, took on UC San Diego, rated No. 4 in the poll, in a prime time match up. The Tritons bested the Titans, 4-3, in seven innings. A no-doubter home run from Clarissa Reynoso brought in three runs for UC San Diego and a late RBI from Morgan Eng extended the Tritons' lead. Cal State Fullerton recorded add a solo-home run to pull within one of the Tritons but were unable to overcome UC San Diego's pitching staff. The pitching staff consisted of Jada Cecil, Gabby Williams, and Kaia Simpson, who all recorded strikeouts against the Titans and allowed three runs on seven hits with 11 strikeouts between them.
 
CECIL TAKES BIG WEST HONORS FOR THIRD TIME & TRITON ATHLETE OF THE WEEK | APRIL 4
Jada Cecil had a fantastic weekend against the Rainbow Wahine in her 13th and 14th starts for UC San Diego softball to earn Big West Freshman of the Week for the third time this season on April 4.
 
In her two appearances over the weekend, Cecil pitched a total of 255 pitches, allowing one run over 15 innings, 6 hits with 29 strikeouts and four walks. She struck out over 50% of the batters she faced this weekend.
 
Opening the series against Hawai'i with a shutout, Cecil broke the UC San Diego program single-game strikeout record, again, with 16 strikeouts over 7 innings. This is her second shut of the season and the sixth game without an earned run in five or more innings pitched.
 
In the final game of the series, she pitched another gem, recording 13 strikeouts in 8 innings. Cecil finished with an ERA of 0.47 this weekend and the Rainbow Wahine were batting an average of .111 against her. She leads the Big West in total wins (12), opposing batting average (.151), strike­outs (157), and batters struck out looking (44).
 
Through 34 games this season, Cecil (12-2) has recorded a team-best 157 strikeouts in 105 innings of work with a 1.53 ERA. Opponents are batting .151 against the Temecula product. This is the second time Cecil has been named Triton Athlete of the Week.
 
TRITON DUO TAKE BIG WEST WEEKLY HONORS | MARCH 28
In the second week of Big West Conference play, the Tritons went 4-0 against CSU Bakersfield and UC Santa Barbara. From the plate, Isabel Lavrov's consistent and clutch hitting helped the Tritons take the series, 2-1 against CSU Bakersfield and then sweep the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. For her great performances at the plate, she earns the Big West Fielder of the Week on March 28. Jada Cecil led the Tritons from in the circle with three outstanding appearances to earn Big West Freshman of the Week on March 28. 
 
Isabel Lavrov hit .538 (7-for-13) with seven runs, seven RBI, one walk and one home run in four games. In the final game against CSU Bakersfield, Lavrov recorded one hit, one run, and two RBI. Lavrov was perfect at the plate in game one against UC Santa Barbara going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. In the series final vs. the Gauchos, Lavrov was 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs. In the seventh inning she blasted a three-run home run, her third of the season. 
 
Lavrov finished the week with a .923 slugging percentage and a .533 on base percentage, and currently sits in third in the Big West for RBI (21) and on base percentage (.465). This is the first time Lavrov has been recognized as Big West Fielder of the Week. She is the fourth Triton to earn the Big West honors and the second in the 2022 season.

The freshman righthander, Jada Cecil, went 3-0 in 17.0 innings pitched with a 0.00 ERA and recorded 21 strikeouts in her three appearances. Cecil tossed a six-inning complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts, allowing only two hits in the series finale win against CSU Bakersfield on Monday, March 21. In game one against UC Santa Barbara, she pitched six innings allowing two hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Cecil went five innings, allowed one unearned run on four hits with three strikeouts in the series finale win vs. the Gauchos.
 
This is the second time Cecil has been recognized as Big West Freshman of the Week. She was previously recognized for her 15-strikeout single-game UC San Diego record. Through 30 games this season, Cecil (11-1) has recorded a team-best 128 strikeouts in 90 innings of work with a 1.71 ERA. Opponents are batting .158 against the Temecula product. Cecil leads the Big West in strikeouts and is tied for 18th in the nation.
 
CECIL SHATTERS SINGLE GAME STRIKEOUT RECORD | MARCH 14
Jada Cecil had a fantastic performance and win over California Baptist in her seventh start for UC San Diego softball to earn Big West Freshman of the Week on March 14.
 
The freshman righthander threw all 7.0 innings in Wednesday night's second game at California Baptist, allowing one run on three hits with a career-high and program-high 15 strikeouts and only one walk. Her 15-strikeout performance on March 9 is a UC San Diego program record previously held by Robyn Wampler with 12 strikeouts.
 
Cecil is the second Triton to be recognized as Big West Freshman of the Week and the first this season. Through 24 games this season, Cecil (7-1) has recorded a team-best 97 strikeouts in 66 innings of work with a 2.02 ERA. Opponents are batting .167 against the Temecula native. Cecil leads the Big West in strikeouts and is tied for 11th in the nation.

REAL HONORED AS TRITON ATHLETE OF THE WEEK | FEB. 28
Over five games at the Mary Nutter Classic, Sophia Real hit .600 (9-for-15), recorded 10 total bases and an average .647 on base percentage. Real led the Nutter Classic in batting average and on base percentage out of all 27 teams and tied third for most hits. Her slugging percentage for the weekend was .667 with one RBI brought in.
 
CECIL HONORED AS TRITON ATHLETE OF THE WEEK | FEB. 14
On her career opening weekend with the Tritons, Jada Cecil was the primary pitcher against the Nevada Wolf Pack and the LMU Lions, she even pitched an inning against #3 UCLA. In the Nevada game, Cecil faced 16 batters and struck 12 of them out. She allowed no runs to be scored in her five innings on the mound and kept the Wolf Pack swinging with three flyouts. Against the Lions, Cecil pitched all seven innings, recording four more strikeouts, 12 flyouts, and 5 groundouts. The Lions were only able to squeeze two runs out of Cecil. As she led from the circle, the Tritons defense was able to force LMU to leave nine runners on base over the course of the game. In her inning against the Bruins, Cecil faced three batters. She recorded no hits, no runs, one strikeout, and two flyouts. She is now 2-0 in her collegiate pitching career.
 
BIG WEST PRESEASON POLL
The UC San Diego softball team was picked to finish fourth according to the Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll, determined by the conference's head coaches. They were awarded 49 points along with Hawai'i. View full poll here.
 
SHERRIAH HARRINGTON – NCAA WOMAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEE
Sherriah Harrington, former UC San Diego softball first baseman, has been named a 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. She is one of eight Big West student-athletes nominated and one of 535 nationwide. The NCAA announced its full list of potential award winners on July 15, 2021. Read Sherriah's full nominee announcement here.
 
MAKING THE GRADE
Continuing their academic excellence, the Tritons posted a 3.29 grade point average this past fall quarter. Keila Bosinger and Kelley Renner both posted a perfect 4.0 GPA last term.

WHO'S BACK?
The team is returning 13 players, four seniors: Keila Bosinger, Clarissa Reynoso, Isabel Lavrov, and Bobbi Aguirre; four juniors: Mikaila Pancino, Kelley Renner, Sophia Real, and Kaia Simpson; five sophomores: Zoe Richards, Mariah Melendez, Deena Pederson, Shelby Thompson, and Gabby Williams.
 
Gabby Williams, Bobbi Aguirre, and Keila Bosinger led the team in hitting last season with a combined 49 runs batted in, 53 runs, and 134 total bases. Clarissa Reynoso and Bobbi Aguirre led fielding with a 0.991 and 0.987 fielding percentage and 227 putouts. While Gabby Williams led from mound as she generated a team-best ERA of 2.32 overall and 1.27 in conference.
 
NEW FACES
Joining the team this season are five freshmen: Marissa Hassis, Jada Cecil, Alexa DeMarse, Reilly Erickson, and Morgan Eng.
 
TEAM LEADERS
Instead of being led by a captain or captains, the Triton softball team is led by a full leadership team made up of various positions and classes.
2022 Leadership Team
Bobbi Aguirre (SR)
Isabel Lavrov (SR)
Keila Bosinger (SR)
Clarissa Reynoso (SR)
 Alexa DeMarse (FR)
 
UC SAN DIEGO ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADER
Most UC San Diego home softball, baseball, men's and women's basketball games and men's and women's volleyball matches are broadcast live on ESPN+. For more information on where to watch UC San Diego softball, visit UCSDTritons.com/live.
 
UC SAN DIEGO ATHLETICS LAUNCHES WEEKLY PODCAST
As part of UC San Diego's transition to Division I, the Athletics Department launched a weekly podcast, Tritoncast. Produced by UC San Diego Athletics Communications, Tritoncast features in-depth interviews with UC San Diego personalities including scholar-athletes, alums, coaches, and administrators. Triton fans will get an inside look at the UC San Diego Athletics Department as the program transitions to NCAA Division I and the Big West Conference. New episodes of Tritoncast are available each week on the most popular podcasting apps, including Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn. In addition, each episode can be heard and downloaded on UCSDTritons.com. For individual show information and listen links, follow Tritoncast on Twitter @Tritoncast.
 
FOLLOW THE TRITONS
Keep up with the Tritons all season long on social media through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The team's handle is @UCSDsoftball.

GEAR 
For the latest Triton apparel and accessories, visit the official team store of the Tritons here.

FOR THE YOUNGER CROWD
Got some young Triton fans in your family? If they are eighth grade or under, check out the Junior Triton Club. Membership includes a free t-shirt, admission to over 100 UC San Diego home athletic events, and much more!
 
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.