NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — UC San Diego put together a dominant showing on Friday, sweeping a doubleheader from CSUN at Matador Diamond with a 6-1 win in the opener and a 12-5 victory in game two. The Tritons improved to 20-25 overall and 9-14 in Big West play, powered by timely hitting, three home runs in game one, and a relentless offensive attack in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: UC SAN DIEGO 6, CSUN 1
UC San Diego used a pair of multi-run innings and a complete game in the circle to secure a convincing win in the series opener.

CSUN struck first in the second inning, stringing together a series of singles capped by an RBI knock to take a 1-0 lead.

The Tritons responded immediately in the third. After Marley Espiau swiped second base, Maalia Cherry launched a two-run home run to center field to give UC San Diego a 2-1 advantage. The offense kept rolling as Zara Wasserman and Gianna Ioja followed with back-to-back solo home runs, extending the lead to 4-1.

UC San Diego added insurance in the fourth inning. Samantha Womack was hit by a pitch and advanced before Haley Garcia also reached after being hit. Espiau delivered an RBI double to center, bringing home Womack and moving Garcia to third. Cherry followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 6-1.

From there, the Tritons' defense and pitching took over. CSUN threatened but was unable to capitalize, as UC San Diego closed out the game without allowing another run.

GAME TWO: UC SAN DIEGO 12, CSUN 5
The Tritons' bats came alive in game two, highlighted by a six-run first inning and late insurance runs to complete the sweep.

UC San Diego wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for six runs in the opening frame. Haley Garcia led off with a single and later scored on Maalia Cherry's RBI double. Lily Hermosillo added a two-RBI single, and Tori Hinostro chipped in with an RBI knock as the Tritons built an early cushion.

CSUN answered with a five-run third inning to cut the deficit to one, but UC San Diego regained control late.

Holding a narrow lead entering the sixth, the Tritons delivered a decisive three-run inning. Hermosillo singled to start the rally and advanced on Samantha Womack's double. Dylan Kunkle brought in a run with a sacrifice fly before Garcia ripped an RBI triple and Espiau followed with an RBI single to extend the lead.

UC San Diego added further insurance in the seventh, with Garcia contributing a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring at 12-5.

TRITON TIDBITS

• Maalia Cherry drove in three runs in game one, highlighted by a go-ahead two-run home run.
• UC San Diego hit three home runs in the opener, with Cherry, Zara Wasserman and Gianna Ioja each going deep.
• Lily Hermosillo recorded three hits, scored three runs and drove in two in game two.
• Haley Garcia tallied multiple RBIs in game two, including a key triple, and reached base several times across the doubleheader.
• Callie Howard and Bella Settembro combined to allow just one run over the final 11 innings of the day.

UP NEXT
UC San Diego continues its Big West road series against CSUN on Saturday, April 25, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. in Northridge, Calif., at Matador Diamond. The Tritons will look to carry momentum from Friday's doubleheader sweep into the final game of the series. The matchup will be streamed 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 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.