SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The Yotes began conference play and hosted their home opener in the same day! In the first two games of a four-game series, the Yotes and the Dominguez Hills Toros (who were the national runners-up in the 2022 NCAA DII College Softball World Series), were both determined to open up conference play on a high note.
Game 1: CSUSB 2, CSUDH 0
Both teams were scoreless through four innings.
Samantha Vargas was on the mound for the Yotes, and proved why she earned that position. In seven full innings, Vargas only allowed four hits of 127 pitches thrown. This marked the junior's first career shutout game in which she pitched the entirety of the game and brings her overall record to 4-3.
The Yotes defense was locked in. They had 21 putouts in the first game, tying their season high which they also set against Hawai'i Hilo and the MSU Billings. As a team, they're fielding percentage is .977, with 10 players all fielding in the perfect percentile.
Alexis Aguado,
Shannon Galliano,
Bailey Wallace and
Ariana Chavarria recorded the Yotes' four hits. Wallace was walked in the bottom of the fourth, which brought in pinch runner
Hayden Greene. On a sacrifice bunt from
Natalie Carlos, Greene advanced to second. Taking full advantage of the hesitation from the Toros offense, she stole third. She would go on to score the first point for the Yotes on a wild pitch.
Down 0-2 in pitch count in the bottom of the sixth, Wallace doubled down the left field line. A double from Chavarria would bring Wallace across the plate to score and solidify the upset over the No. 4 ranked Toros.
Game 2: CSUSB 2, CSUDH 5
The Toros struck first and kept the momentum going. They put up the first five points of the game over the course of six innings.
Looking to rally in the seventh, the Yotes remained patient at the plate.
Shaylee Zaitz pinch ran for
Veronica Garza who earned a walk.
Kaylee Williamson doubled to left field on a full count. Zaitz would come in to score from first base on an infield error. Aguado singled up the middle on her first pitch, and advanced to second on a ground out by Galliano.
Tereise Tosi, who led the team in hits and batting average last season, stepped up to the plate. On a 1-1 count, Tosi hit a sac fly to center field, but gained an RBI as Aguado made her way to third and Williamson came in to score.
The game would come to an end with a ground out to shortstop, cutting the Yotes short of a comeback and two-game upset of the Toros.
Up Next
The Yotes will finish their series against the Toros with another doubleheader. Their games will be at 12 and 2 PM at the CSUSB Softball Park. Admission is FREE for all that come. You can also catch the game on the CCAA Network at
ccaanetwork.com.
To see the full CSUSB women's softball schedule, click HERE.
