TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State softball returns home this week following a strong showing at the D2 West Coast Challenge and will host the Stan State Invitational, Feb. 12–15, at Warrior Softball Field. The Warriors will play five games over four days, opening the invitational Thursday afternoon against Dominican University of California.
Stan State finished the D2 West Coast Challenge with a 3–2 record at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park in Lake Elsinore, opening the tournament with wins over Western Oregon (8–6) and Biola (4–2), before closing the weekend with a comeback victory over Lubbock Christian (6–5). The Warriors' three wins came against a competitive field that included multiple regional and nationally recognized programs.
D2 West Coast Challenge Recap
The Warriors set the tone early in Lake Elsinore with an 8–6 comeback win over Western Oregon, rallying from an early deficit behind timely hitting and strong relief pitching. Stan State followed with a 4–2 victory over Biola, pairing clean defense with efficient pitching to complete a 2–0 opening day.
After dropping a pair of games Saturday, Stan State closed the tournament on a high note Sunday morning against Lubbock Christian. The Warriors erased a deficit with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by a grand slam, and held on for a 6–5 win to finish the weekend with momentum heading into their home opener.
Offensive Production
Stan State's offense played a key role throughout the D2 West Coast Challenge, providing consistent pressure and timely production against a strong field. The Warriors scored six or more runs in three of their five games and delivered multiple comeback efforts, including rallying from early deficits against Western Oregon and Lubbock Christian. Stan State's lineup showed balance from top to bottom, combining extra-base hits, aggressive base running, and situational execution to generate runs in key moments, highlighted by a decisive five-run inning in the tournament finale.
Pitching Impact
The Warriors' pitching staff was equally crucial to the weekend's success, delivering quality innings in both starting and relief roles. Stan State pitchers worked out of traffic throughout the tournament and limited damage in high-leverage situations, allowing the offense opportunities to respond. The staff was anchored by consistent relief appearances late in games, including scoreless innings to close out wins over Western Oregon and Lubbock Christian. The ability to stabilize games and keep opponents within reach proved to be a difference-maker as the Warriors navigated a competitive early-season schedule.
All-Tournament Honors
Three Warriors earned D2 West Coast Challenge All-Tournament Team recognition for their performances across the five games.
Katelyn Bridgeman delivered a consistent presence in the lineup, batting .421 with eight hits, six runs scored, four RBIs, and two doubles. She also played flawless defense, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage while throwing out three runners.
Ava Montesdeoca was a catalyst throughout the weekend, finishing the tournament batting .500 with eight hits and six runs scored. She recorded multi-hit games against Western Oregon, Biola, and Concordia Irvine and committed no defensive errors during the challenge.
Alexis Camberos anchored the pitching staff, earning two wins and a save while posting a 1.70 ERA over 12.1 innings. She earned the win against Western Oregon with 6.1 innings of relief and closed the tournament with a scoreless save in the victory over Lubbock Christian.
Stan State Invitational Schedule
Stan State opens the Stan State Invitational on Thursday, Feb. 12, with a 2:00 p.m. matchup against Dominican University of California. The Penguins enter the week with a 3–2 record and a lineup that has produced timely offense early in the season.
The Warriors will face Central Washington twice during the invitational, first on Friday, Feb. 13, at 11:30 a.m., then again Saturday, Feb. 14, at 7:00 p.m. Saint Martin's University and Menlo College round out the field, with Stan State facing Saint Martin's on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. before closing the invitational against Menlo at 2:00 p.m.
