BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Cal State San Marcos softball team (37-22) saw its third consecutive postseason run come to an end with a pair of losses to host and top-seed Western Washington (46-8) on Saturday afternoon at Viking Field. The Cougar dropped a 7-1 decision in the first game, forcing an 'if-necessary' game that resulted in a 2-1 heartbreaker.
GAME 1: CSUSM 1 – WWU 7
TOP PERFORMERS
Mackenzie Kestler – 2-for-3
Madison Waymire – 2-for-4
Savannah Coyle – 1-for-3 | 1 R
Makenzie Guiliano – 1-for-3 | 1 RBI
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM got on the board first with a Guiliano RBI single to left that plated Coyle who led off the second inning with a single up the middle.
- WWU answered with a solo home run by Maleah Andrews in the third inning.
- The Vikings tacked on single runs in the fourth and fifth innings with a McKenna Crum RBI single up the middle and a sacrifice fly by Emily Paulson to make it 3-1.
- WWU put the game out of reach in the sixth with four runs on five hits to extend lead to 7-1.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM starter Dahlia Fink (7-3) recorded the loss after four innings in the circle, giving up three runs on seven hits, one hit batter and one walk.
- WWU's starter Alli Kimball (20-2) earned the win following five innings of work, relinquishing only on run on six hits and no walks.
GAME 2: CSUSM 1 – WWU 2
TOP PERFORMERS
Gianna Lombardi – 2-foor-3 | 1 RBI
Mackenzie Kestler – 1-for-2 | 1 2B
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Vikings went up 1-0 in the top of the fourth after taking advantage of a CSUSM error.
- The Cougars quickly responded in the bottom of the frame when Lombardi hit a two-out RBI single though the left side to even the game at 1-all.
- In the top of the sixth, WWU's Kanilehua Pitoy led off with a triple to right field and later scored on Paulson's two-out single to left to put the Vikings up 2-1.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM starter Jayline Sloss (19-9) took the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out four in seven innings of work.
- WWU's reliever Alli Kimball (21-2) picked up the win after two shutout innings, allowing two hits and walking one.
- The Cougars ended their 2024 campaign with a NCAA Division II-high 38 double plays, seven more than second-place Colorado Mesa.\
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