Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SAN BERNARDINO – Timely hitting is an absolutely essential and the Coyotes fell short in that category in their doubleheader losses against Cal State Monterey Bay, 3-1 and 6-1, in CCAA softball Friday afternoon at Coyote Park.

CSUSB, which has lost its last nine games, takes an 8-20 overall mark and 5-13 CCAA slate into Saturday's finale against the Otters (14-13, 9-8).

Game 1: Cal State Monterey Bay 3, Coyotes 1
Coyotes starter Kaitlyn Randall was dealt a hard-luck loss as just one mistake was the difference maker in the opener.

CSUMB got all the runs it needed in the first inning on Lauren Eermitano's two-run home run in the first inning.

The Coyotes answered back with their only run of the game in the first. Senior Alyssa Flores delivered a two-out single that scored Darian Manuz, who doubled.

And that began a pitchers' duel between Randall and the Otters' Cori Reinhart. Neither pitcher gave up a run over the next five innings until the Otters came up with an insurance run in the seventh.

Randall finished with four strikeouts and two walks in seven innings.

But Reinhart was even better as the Riverside RHP sophomore threw a three-hitter and retired 18 consecutive Coyotes.

She finished with five strikeouts and did not issue a walk.

Manuz, Flores and Monica Ferguson accounted for the three Coyotes' hits.

Game 2: Cal State Monterey Bay 6, Coyotes 1
The Otters broke through a scoreless tie in the fifth with two runs, then added two more in each of the final two innings for the victory.

Coyotes RHP freshman Monica Cartwright was effective through four innings. But she was dealt the loss in 5 2/3 innings. She had no strikeouts with one walk and gave up four runs – three earned.

Down 4-0 in the sixth, the Coyotes came up with their only run of the game. Flores' RBI single up the middle scored Britney Butler, who led off the inning with a base hit to short.

Lindsey Clarkson earned the win in five innings with three strikeouts and scattered six hits.

Butler and Ferguson each had two hits. Jacqueline Lopez, Flores and Melissa Roberts accounted for the other four Coyotes' hits.