STOCKTON, Calif. – UC San Diego wrapped up competition in the Libby Matson Tournament at Bill Simoni Field Saturday on the University of the Pacific campus. The Tritons ripped a season-best 15 hits in the opener, but fell to host Pacific, 10-7. In game two, Fresno State rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Tritons, who fell to 10-10 on the season with the two losses.
PACIFIC 10, UC SAN DIEGO 7
The UC San Diego offense put together a four-run rally in the fifth.
Haley Garcia's two-run double initiated the charge, followed by
Maalia Cherry's two-run homer, her team-leading fifth.
A decisive fifth inning shifted the momentum in favor of Pacific (6-13). A bases-loaded walk followed by a three-run triple by Kelly Whelihan put UOP ahead, creating a 9-4 advantage. A subsequent RBI single further cemented the Tigers' lead.
In the sixth, the Tritons continued to apply pressure with
Marley Espiau's RBI double and Cherry's two-run single, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
Despite UC San Diego's late offensive efforts, including a seventh-inning threat with the bases loaded, the team was unable to capitalize and close the gap further.
Cherry led UC San Diego with a home run and four RBIs.
Tyla Arbuckle contributed three hits and scored two runs. Garcia added two RBIs with a double, also crossing the plate twice to aid the team's scoring efforts.
Tori Hinostro finished with three hits, maintaining a perfect performance as a leadoff batter.
Alyana Gonzales started for the Tritons, pitching 3 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out 2 batters.
Bella Settembro closed with a scoreless inning, retiring all three batters faced on just 6 pitches, allowing no hits or runs.
FRESNO STATE 5, UC SAN DIEGO 4
UC San Diego posted a three-run fifth inning to momentarily take the lead, but Fresno State (7-7) responded with decisive runs in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the win.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the top of the seventh inning, with a crucial RBI single by Rylee Bocchini to bring Kealani Nitta home, breaking the 4-4 tie.
UC San Diego had demonstrated resilience in the fifth inning, with
Zara Wasserman doubling to ignite a rally. Key contributions included a three-run triple by Espiau, which flipped a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. However, Fresno State responded in the sixth with a two-run homer by Jamie Hicks, leveling the score and setting the stage for the final inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, UC San Diego attempted a comeback.
Lily Hermosillo singled, but the Tritons were unable to capitalize, as Garcia grounded into a fielder's choice and Espiau's flyout ended the game.
Espiau made a significant impact with a triple that drove in three runs and also walked and stole a base. Wasserman finished with three hits, including a double, contributing to the offensive effort. Hermosillo reached base three times, collecting two hits and scoring a run.
Callie Howard pitched a complete game, striking out three batters over seven innings.
TRITON TIDBITS
- The Tritons ripped a season-high 15 hits in the opener vs. Pacific.
- Callie Howard's complete game effort vs. the Bulldogs was her first career CG.
- Shortstop Marley Espiau leads the squad with a .383 batting average and 12 extra base hits in 2026.
- After winning 10 of its first 11 games, UC San Diego has now dropped its last nine.
UP NEXT
UC San Diego begins Big West play with a doubleheader March 7 at UC Santa Barbara. The Tritons and Gauchos will conclude the series with a single game on Sunday. All three games will air live 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 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 84 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.
