LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego ran its record to 9-1 with a decisive 9-1 five-inning victory over Colorado State on Saturday night at Triton Softball Field. UC San Diego capitalized on a five-run fourth inning and collected 10 hits in the game to down the Rams (4-5). The win was the Tritons' sixth straight.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Colorado State briefly tied the game in the third inning when Kyra Smith's RBI fielder's choice brought home Jac Smith, leveling the score at 1-1. However, the Tritons responded in the bottom of the inning with a key sequence. Tyla Arbuckle singled, and Haley Garcia followed with another single before both executed a double steal. Marley Espiau walked, loading the bases. Zara Wasserman then reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Arbuckle, and Lily Hermosillo's sacrifice fly plated Garcia to restore the Tritons' lead at 3-1.
 
The decisive moment came in the fourth inning, as the Tritons extended their lead with a five-run outburst. Espiau doubled down the left field line, driving in two runs, while Maalia Cherry's single added another. Hermosillo and Samantha Womack contributed with RBI singles, capitalizing on the momentum. This offensive surge put the game out of reach for CSU.
 
The Tritons' defense held strong, turning a double play in the fifth inning to neutralize any potential threat from CSU. This defensive stand, combined with the offensive display, secured the win for the Tritons.
 
Haley Garcia recorded two hits and scored three runs, contributing significantly to the offense. Espiau added four RBIs, including a double, to drive in key runs. Hermosillo posted two hits and collected two RBIs, showing effectiveness at the plate. Arbuckle registered two hits and crossed the plate twice, enhancing the team's scoring opportunities.
 
Callie Howard pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two hits while striking out one and not surrendering any runs. Howard entered the game with three inherited runners and successfully prevented them from scoring, delivering 40 pitches with 27 strikes. Starter Lauren Rozell worked 2 1/3 innings, conceding two hits and one earned run while striking out one and walking one.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• At 9-1, UC San Diego is off to its best start in Division I.
• Sophomore shortstop Marley Espiau continued her production at the plate, driving in four more runs to bring her team-leading RBI total to 19.
• Freshman Callie Howard tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to improve her record to 3-0 in the circle.

 
UP NEXT
These two teams will meet again tomorrow in the final game of the USD/UCSD Co-Host Tournament. Sunday's single game will take place on the USD campus, with first pitch slated for 2 p.m. The game will mark the Tritons' first outside of La Jolla this season.

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 in NCAA Division I. The 24-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 NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.