NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — UC San Diego closed out its Big West series with a 6-3 loss to CSUN on Saturday at Matador Diamond. The Tritons moved to 20-26 overall and 9-15 in conference play. Despite an early three-run inning, UC San Diego was unable to hold off CSUN's 10-hit performance.

HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego struck first with a strong second inning. After reaching base on an error and a fielder's choice, Samantha Womack delivered a three-run home run to give the Tritons an early 3-0 advantage.

CSUN responded steadily, chipping away at the lead over the next several innings to even the score at 3-3 and eventually take a 4-3 edge heading into the sixth.

The Matadors created separation in the sixth inning. A sacrifice fly brought in the go-ahead run before an RBI single added another, extending the lead to 6-3 and shifting momentum firmly in favor of the home team.

UC San Diego threatened in the seventh. Marley Espiau drew a walk and Zara Wasserman followed with a single to put runners in scoring position, but the Tritons were unable to capitalize, stranding both runners to end the game.

TRITON TIDBITS

• Samantha Womack recorded a home run in the second inning
• Lily Hermosillo and Jackie Tremper each scored a run and tallied a hit
• Callie Howard struck out three over 3.2 innings in relief
• UC San Diego claimed the series with wins in the first two games
• Maalia Cherry set a new single-season program record with her 13th home run
• The Tritons also set a new team single-season record with 35 home runs

UP NEXT
UC San Diego enters the final weekend of the regular season in sixth place in the Big West standings. The top six teams qualify for the conference tournament, with the Tritons looking to secure their spot in the postseason. UCSD will face Cal State Bakersfield at SDSU Softball Stadium in San Diego, with the series beginning Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

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.