SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The (RV) Cal State San Marcos softball team (43-21) opened the 2025 NCAA Division II West Super Regional with a 9-1, six-inning mercy-ruled victory over No. 9 Western Washington on Thursday afternoon at CSUSM Softball Field.
TOP PERFORMERS
Mackenzie Kestler – 2-for-3 | 3 RBIs | 1 R | 1 SAC
Paige Donnelly – 2-for-4 | 1 R | 1 2B
Jillian Albayati – 2-for-4 | 2 RBIs | 2 2B
Czar Fleischman – 2-for-2 | 1 R | 2 RBIs | 1 2B | 1 BB
Aneesa Arredondo – 1-for-4 | 2 R
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a 2-RBI double to right center by Jillian Albayati.
- The Vikings pushed their lone run across in the top of the third on a fielder's choice by Hailey Rath to make it 2-1 CSUSM.
- In the fourth inning, the Cougars pushed three more runs across on a Czar Fleischman 2-RBI double to left center and a Madison Waymire RBI single up the middle to make it 5-1.
- The Cougars added another run in the fifth on a Mackenzie Kestler RBI single to right center.
- CSUSM notched the win with three runs in the sixth inning as Gianna Lombardi hit an RBI single to left field before Kestler knocked out a 2-RBI single of the pitcher to win the game.
QUICK HITS
- Cougar pitcher Jayline Sloss (19-9) earned the win after tossing five innings and allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters.
- WWU starting pitcher Alli Kimball (16-4) picked up the loss after allowing two runs on three hits while recording no outs.
- CSUSM reliever Savannah Coyle threw a shuout sixth inning with two strikeouts and a groundout.
- The Cougars are now 3-3 in the all-time series against WWU and 1-0 when playing at CSUSM Softball Field.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will have two chances to secure the 2025 NCAA Division II West Super Regional title on Friday. The first game is slated to begin at 11 a.m. with the "if necessary" game following at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Latest Top News
- MADISON MURR - NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONWith a three-round total of a 14-under 202, senior Madison Murr became Cal State San Marcos' second NCAA Division II Women's Golf National Champion in school history.
- Murr, CSUSM Lead After Day Two of National ChampionshipsCal State San Marcos women's golfer Madison Murr sits on top of the NCAA Division II National Championship leaderboard with a five-stroke lead after carding an 8-under 64 in Wednesday's round. As a team, CSUSM (564, -12) has a three-stroke lead over second-place Dallas Baptist (567, -9) entering the third round tomorrow. Following Thursday's round, the top eight teams will move on to medal-match play to determine the team champion.
- CSUSM Hosts Western Washington in NCAA West Super RegionalThe Cal State San Marcos softball team (42-21) is making its third NCAA Division II West Super Regional appearance this week, hosting Western Washington in a best-of-three series with a noon start time on Thursday, May 15 and an 11 a.m. start on Friday, May 16. If the series is split at that point, the teams will play a deciding game at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16 to determine who will advance to the NCAA Division II World Series on May 22-28 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Five Cougars Earn USTFCCCA All-Region HonorsFive members of the Cal State San Marcos men's and women's track & field teams earned outdoor All-Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday.
- No. 8 CSUSM on Top of Leaderboard After Day One of National ChampionshipsThe No. 8 Cal State San Marcos women's golf team opened the 2025 NCAA National Championship on top of the leaderboard alongside Anderson (SC) with an 8-under 280 on Tuesday. The Cougars shot under par in the first round with Regan Barton leading the way with a 4-under 68.
- Badrani, Laiwa-McKay Selected for NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field ChampionshipsThe Cal State San Marcos men's and women's track & field teams will be represented at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships as Rasha Badrani and Kalathan Laiwa-McKay were selected to compete by the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee on Tuesday.
