IRVINE, Calif. - The CSUSB softball team opened up the 2023 season at the Concordia Kickoff Classic on Friday, splitting their first two games against Hawaii Hilo and #19 CUI. The Yotes have now won seven straight opening-day games dating back to the 2016 season.
 

Game 1: CSUSB 4, UHH 3
Strong pitching and timely hitting propelled the Yotes to a 4-3 win in their season opener, highlighted by six hits from the left side of the Yotes infield coming off the bats of Tereise Tosi and Alyssa Martinez. CSUSB struck first, when Kaylee Williamson pushed across Tosi for the first run of the game – and season.
 
Hilo rallied back in the top of the second inning on a two run error by the left fielder, allowing UHH to take a 3-1 lead. Three consecutive hits in the bottom of the third, including back-to-back doubles from Tosi and Martinez, allowed the Yotes to tie the game back up at 3-3.
 
In the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and the game still tied at 3-3, Ariana Chavarria singled down the right field line. Bailey Wallace then tripled to right center field, pushing across Chavarria for the Yotes first walk-off win of the season.
 
CSUSB's timely hitting was paired with strong pitching from Brooklyn Blackmon and Samantha Vargas, who together allowed one earned run in 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts while walking three.
 
 
Game 2: CSUSB 0, #19 CUI 2
The Yotes put on a strong performance against the nationally-ranked Golden Eagles in their second game of the day. After CUI scored one run in the first inning, both teams remained scoreless for the next five frames. The Golden Eagles would push across one more in the bottom of the sixth, ultimately walking away with a 2-0 win.
 
Despite falling to CUI, the Yotes outhit their opponents seven to five in the game. Chavarria was the only player to collect multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-2 with a walk.
 
After earning her first win of the season in the matinee game, Samantha Vargas had a strong performance in the circle against CUI. The Grand Terrace native threw all 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. Through the first day of the season, the junior owns a 1.75 ERA in 8.0 innings pitched.
 
 
Up Next
The Yotes will continue at the Concordia Kickoff Classic tomorrow, February 4^th, with an 8:30 AM game against Western Washington and a 4:30 PM game against Northwest Nazarene.

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