LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — Stan State softball dropped a pair of games Saturday at the D2 West Coast Challenge, falling to Concordia Irvine 9-2 in the opener before a 6-4 loss to Azusa Pacific at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park.
VERSUS THE EAGLES (CUI): Concordia Irvine used early power and capitalized on defensive miscues to pull away from the Warriors. The Eagles opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run home run, then added three more runs in the third to take a 5-0 lead.
Stan State got on the board in the bottom of the third when Malia Babasa tripled to left field to score Ava Montesdeoca. Concordia responded with three runs in the fourth, aided by errors, to extend the lead to 8-1. A solo home run in the sixth pushed the advantage to eight.
The Warriors added a run in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Madison Rosebrough, but were unable to generate further offense. Babasa finished 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI, while Montesdeoca collected two hits and scored a run. Alexis Camberos worked 4.1 innings of relief, allowing two earned runs.
VERSUS THE COUGARS (APU): Stan State faced another early deficit in the nightcap as Azusa Pacific scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the second to take a 5-0 lead.
The Warriors answered in the third inning with back-to-back RBI hits. Katelyn Bridgeman doubled to score Montesdeoca, then Nat Camarena followed with an RBI single to cut the margin to 5-2. Azusa Pacific added a run in the bottom of the third to restore a four-run lead.
Stan State mounted a late push in the sixth inning, scoring two runs to make it a 6-4 game. Montesdeoca drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt, and Bridgeman followed with an RBI single. The Warriors brought the tying run to the plate, but Azusa Pacific closed the door in the final inning.
Bridgeman led Stan State offensively, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. The Warriors totaled eight hits and drew five walks in the contest. Camarena tossed 4.1 innings of relief, allowing just one unearned run to keep Stan State within striking distance.
UP NEXT: Stan State wraps up play at the D2 West Coast Challenge on Sunday, February 8, with a 9:00 a.m. matchup against Lubbock Christian at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park.
