LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego (13-26) fell to CSUN (21-22) in a 5-1 defeat, highlighted by CSUN's four-run sixth inning at Triton Softball Field.

Elise Nishimura stood out defensively with four assists and was involved in a double play. Zara Wasserman contributed offensively with one RBI, achieved through a sacrifice fly. On the mound, India Caldwell pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and five runs, four of which were earned. She struck out two batters and walked two, throwing 109 pitches with 67 strikes. In relief, Claire Adams delivered 1 1/3 scoreless innings, conceding just one hit while inducing a double play.

The Tritons have an overall record of 13-26 and conference record 11-11. CSUN holds an overall record of 21-22 and a Big West record of 13-8.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first inning, CSUN took an early lead with the Matadors scoring on a groundout, putting them ahead 1-0. The Tritons had a chance with Morgan Eng reaching base and stealing second but couldn't bring a run home.
 
Through the second and third innings, both teams were unable to add to their scores. The Tritons' defense held CSUN without a run, while CSUN's pitching limited the Tritons' offensive opportunities.

In the fourth inning, the Tritons evened the score at 1-1. Haley Garcia advanced to third on a groundout and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Wasserman, marking the Tritons' first run.

CSUN's pivotal moment came in the sixth inning, where they broke the tie with a four-run surge. A solo-home run to left field and Nielsen followed with a two-run homer, contributing to a 5-1 lead after the inning. The Tritons' defense faced challenges with errors that allowed additional runs.

In the final inning, despite a solid defensive play resulting in a double play, the Tritons were unable to mount a comeback in their last at-bat. CSUN secured the victory with a final score of 5-1.

TRITION TIDBITS

• Elise Nishimura
  • 4 assists
  • 5 putouts
• Zara Wasserman
  • 1 RBI
  • 9 putouts
• India Caldwell
  • 5.2 innings pitched
  • 2 strikeouts
  • 10 hits allowed
• Claire Adams
  • 1.1 innings pitched
  • 1 hit allowed
  • 1 inherited runner
• Lily Hermosillo
  • 1 hit
  • 2 putouts
• India Caldwell tallied her 200^th career strikeout over 308.1 innings of work at the NCAA Division I level.

 
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 began a new era in 2020 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 earned 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 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.