SEASIDE, Calif. – The Yotes traveled up to Northern California this weekend to compete in a four-game series against the Otters of Cal State Monterey Bay. Going into the weekend, softball was 2-2 in conference play after taking two games off the nationally ranked Toros in their CCAA opener.

Friday, February 24^th

Game 1: CSUSB, 2 CSUMB 3

After a walk, Alyssa Martinez made her way to second on a passed ball before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt. A fly out to right center field gave Hayden Greene a RBI and brought Martinez in to score. The Yotes held the lead going into the third, but with two batters retired, the Otters capitalized and hit three consecutive doubles to give them the 2-1 lead. Martinez would score the second point for the Yotes after a single from Kaylee Williamson to center field. The game remained tied throughout the remainder of the game and forced extra innings. With the bases loaded, the Otters lined out to left field, but it was just enough to bring the winning run across the plate.

The loss will go to Samantha Vargas, whose record is now 5-4 this season. She recorded five strikeouts in the 8.2 innings she pitched. Williamson and Greene had one RBI a piece, both earned when Martinez came in to score for the Yotes.

Game 2: CSUSB 2, CSUMB 5

The second game of the afternoon began with Alexis Aguado being walked on a full count. She would advance to second on a sacrifice bunt before coming in to score on a single by Tereise Tosi. Ariana Chavarria's double to right center would bring Tosi in to score and give the Yotes an early 2-0 lead. The Otters would answer back with three runs of their own in the first inning. They tacked on two more late in the fourth to give them the 5-2 lead that would give them their second win of the day.

Hayden Greene and Tosi both put up two hits in the second game. Those hits would both assist in Tosi and Greene moving to the first and second spots in leading the team in batting averages.

Brooklyn Blackmon pitched less than a full inning for the Yotes, but allowed three runs to be scored. Her record on the season now sits at 1-4. Natalie Carlos allowed 2 runs in her 5.1 innings pitched and worked to get four strikeouts.

Saturday, February 25^th

Game 3: CSUSB 1, CSUMB 10

The Otters took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Shannon Galliano was walked in the third inning and would be the first and only run to score for the Yotes. As a team the Yotes had five hits in 19 at-bats and would strand eight runners on base, five of those being in scoring position.

Carlos and Vargas were in the circle for the Yotes. Combined, they allowed three walks, eight hits and ten earned runs in their 88 total pitches. The loss was given to Vargas who has a record of 5-5.

Game 4: CSUSB 3, CSUMB 2

With one final game in the series, the Yotes were able to avoid the series sweep with a seventh inning win over the Otters. Hayden Greene scored for the Yotes in the first inning and came in to also score the winning run in the top of the seventh. It seemed to be the story of the weekend that once the Yotes got on the board, the Otters responded and took the lead. Nothing was different in the fourth game between the two teams. The Otters took the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning after a two-run homerun. The Yotes would strand two runners on base before scoring again the fifth inning, Tereise Tosi coming in on a double by Natalie Carlos to tie the game. Down to their last out of the inning, Ariana Chavarria singled to left center on a 3-1 count, allowing Greene to come in and score the winning run. Chavarria's seventh RBI now ties her for the top spot on the team with Alyssa Martinez.

Tosi was responsible for three of the Yotes' nine hits. Alyssa Martinez, Ariana Chavarria and Natalie Carlos each earned one RBI in the win over the Otters. Samantha Vargas pitched the entire seven innings, dishing out almost 100 pitches and only allowing six hits.
 
Up Next

The Yotes are returning to the CSUSB Softball Park this weekend to continue conference play. They'll face the Sonoma State Seawolves who are undefeated in the conference. On Friday, March 3^rd, the games will begin at 12 and 2 PM. Saturday, March 4^th, is a little different as gameplay will begin at 11 AM and 1 PM. Admission is free for every fan at the CSUSB Softball Park! You can also catch every minute of action on the CCAA Network at ccaanetwork.com.

To see the full CSUSB women's softball schedule, click HERE.
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