SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Stan State faced a strong early-season test Saturday, squaring off with top-ranked Cal State San Marcos in a CCAA doubleheader at CSUSM Softball Field.
The Warriors (11-9, 0-4 CCAA) stayed within striking distance in both contests before the Cougars (22-1, 4-0 CCAA) secured 6-1 and 6-3 victories on their home field.
Game One: No. 1 CSUSM 6, Stan State 1
The Cougars used a three-run fourth inning and a pair of late insurance runs to take the opener, 6-1.
Stan State broke through in the sixth. Moxie Barton and Malia Babasa each recorded hits to spark the rally before Marley Hogue delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home the Warriors' lone run. The Warriors finished with five hits in the contest.
Barton led the way offensively with two hits, while Babasa, Katelyn Bridgeman and Addie Meddings added one apiece.
Alexis Camberos (3-1) took the loss, allowing four runs over 3.1 innings of work. Alexandria Himes provided 2.2 innings of relief, giving up two runs while striking out one.
Game Two: No. 1 CSUSM 6, Stan State 3
Stan State answered early in the nightcap and continued to pressure the nation's top-ranked team before falling 6-3.
After the Cougars struck first, the Warriors responded in the second inning when Ava Montesdeoca singled home Meddings to cut the deficit to 3-1. In the third, Bridgeman doubled to left center to score Babasa, trimming the margin to 4-2.
The Warriors pulled within one in the fifth. Barton singled and stole second before Babasa moved her to third with a base hit. Meddings later brought Barton home on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-3.
CSUSM added a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to create separation, but Stan State continued to battle, totaling seven hits in the game.
Babasa paced the offense with two hits, while Bridgeman and Meddings each drove in a run.
Nat Camarena (3-4) started in the circle and went 4.2 innings, allowing five runs. Ashlyn Jubrey tossed the final 1.1 innings in relief.
Up Next
Stan State returns home next weekend to host Cal State San Bernardino in a four-game CCAA series at Warrior Softball Field. The series begins Friday, March 13, with doubleheaders at 1 and 3 p.m., followed by Saturday twin bills at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Warriors then travel to Chico State for a four-game series March 27-28 before returning to Turlock April 2-3 to host No. 2 Cal State East Bay in another four-game CCAA set.
