BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Opening Big West Conference play at CSU Bakersfield, UC San Diego swept the doubleheader on the road in Bakersfield. Shutting out the 'Runners in game one, the Tritons won 3-0, and took game two with a 8-1 win.
 
Gabby Williams got the start in game one and allowed no runs on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. The lefty forced nine groundouts and two flyouts. Kaia Simpson came in as relief and allowed no runs on one hit. The closer forced six groundouts. At the plate, Marissa Hassis was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Mikaila Pancino added her support going 1-for-2 with a run scored.
 
In game two, Jada Cecil tossed her fifth complete game of the season. Allowing only three hits, Cecil gave up one hit and fanned eight 'Runners. The sophomore forced 10 fly outs and three groundouts. Six different Tritons scored in game two. Bobbi Aguirre was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Sophia real was 1-for-1 with two RBI and a run scored. Morgan Eng was 1-for-2 with two runs scored. Alexa DeMarse also scored two runs.

UC SAN DIEGO 3, CSU BAKERSFIELD 0
Getting on the board in the top of the second, the Tritons capitalized on a CSUB error. Marissa Hasiss reached on an error and advanced to second on a groundout. Hailey Mulligan laced a single to right field and Hassis scored from second, putting the Tritons up 1-0.
 
The score remained 1-0 until the sixth inning when the Tritons hung another run on the board. Mikaila Pancino bunted to reach and was advanced to second when Deena Pederson reached on a fielder's choice. Alexa DeMarse sent a single to left field to advance runners to second and third. A sac fly brought from Bobbi Aguirre brought Pancino home.
 
In the seventh, Sophia Real powered a double down the left field line. Kelley Renner came on as a pinch runner for Real. Facing two outs, Marissa Hassis laced a single through left field and Renner scored from second.
 

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3-0 ??#GoTritons ?? pic.twitter.com/JMJ2rdAebX

— UC San Diego Softball (@UCSDsoftball) March 16, 2023

 
UC SAN DIEGO 8, CSU BAKERSFIELD 1
Starting their lead early, UC San Diego hung four runs on the board in the top of the first. Morgan Eng became the lead runner when she was able to reach on an error. With Bobbi Aguirre at the plate, Eng stole second to get into scoring position. Aguirre then singled up the middle to plate Eng and reach first. On a sac bunt from Keila Bosinger, Aguirre advanced to second. Alexa DeMarse then reached on a fielder's choice and was advanced to second when Sophia Real was walked, Aguirre advanced to third. On a groundout from Teagan Dobson, runners advanced and Aguirre was able to score. With two on, Lily Hermosillo sent a single to left center to plate Real and DeMarse.
 

???????? knocks in 2?!
4-0 ??
?? https://t.co/98aBLoSnWw#GoTritons ?? pic.twitter.com/eU0MavfkYi

— UC San Diego Softball (@UCSDsoftball) March 16, 2023

 
Adding three more runs in the second, Eng started the charge again with a single laced down the left field line. She was able to advance to second on a wild pitch and then to third on a groundout. Keila Bosinger reached on a 'Runner error and was advanced to second on a sac bunt from Alexa DeMarse. DeMarse was able to plate Eng and reach on a fielder's choice. Both Bosinger and DeMarse stole their bases to advance. Sophia Real then brought them both home on a double powered to left center, making the score 7-0.
 
In the top of the third, the Tritons added one more run to their score. Hailey Mulligan bunted to become the lead runner of the inning. A sac bunt from Eng advanced Mulligan to second. The freshman came into score when Aguirre launched a double to right field.
 
The 'Runners broke up the shutout with a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning but were unable to overcome the deficit.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• This is the opening weekend of Big West conference play.
• In game one, Gabby Williams and Kaia Simpson combined to shutout the 'Runners.
• Marissa Hassis was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Mikaila Pancino went 1-for-2 with a run scored.
• In game two, six different Tritons scored.
• Game two was Jada Cecil's fifth complete game of the season. This is the sixth game where Cecil has struck out six or more.
• Morgan Eng leads the Big West in steals at 20.
• UC San Diego leads the series vs. CSU Bakersfield, 4-1.

UP NEXT
UC San Diego will finish the three-game series at CSU Bakersfield on March 17 with a single game at 12:00 pm. The game will be live on ESPN+ with live stats available on ucsdtritons.com

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.