IRVINE, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino softball team opened the 2025 season by splitting a pair of contests Friday at day one of the Concordia Kickoff Classic at Great Park.

CSUSB was doubled up 4-2 by Northwest Nazarene University in the season opener, before defeating Vanguard University 6-1 in game two.

With the split, CSUSB opens the season with an overall record of 1-1.

Game 1 - Northwest Nazarene 4, Cal State San Bernardino 2

CSUSB wasted no time getting on the board to kick off their 2025 season. In the top of the first inning, graduate student Shannon Galliano (San Mateo, Calif.) led off with a triple down the right field line. She immediately came home a batter later on a base hit to right field from senior Emilie Lapeña (Buena Park, Calif.) to score the first Coyote run of the season.

The Nighthawks responded quickly however, posting two runs in the first as well as one each in the second and third to take a 4-1 lead.

Cal State San Bernardino got one run back in the top of the sixth inning to cut the lead to two on an RBI single from senior Bri Goris (Chino, Calif.), plating freshman pinch runner Belinda Lujano (Burbank, Calif.). The Coyotes could not get any closer though, falling in the first contest of the day 4-2.

The Yotes outhit Northwest Nazarene 4-3 in the defeat, with hits from Galliano, Lapeña, Goris, and senior Diggy Olson (Riverside, Calif.).

Senior Brooke Blackmon (Exeter, Calif.) took the loss in the circle for CSUSB, allowing two earned on three hits with seven strikeouts.

Game 2 - Cal State San Bernardino 6, Vanguard 1

CSUSB struck for four runs in the bottom of the first to take early command of the contest. Junior Mia Escujuri (Chino Hills, Calif.) opened the scoring for the Coyotes with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Lapeña from third base to put the Yotes ahead 1-0. 

Three batters later, junior Madison Zaro (Chino, Calif.) struck for the Coyotes, roping a single through the left side to score a pair of runs and put CSUSB ahead by three. They would add one more on a bases-loaded walk from Olson to wrap up the four-run inning.

Cal State San Bernardino scored two more in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. Olson scored from third on an error by the Vanguard shortstop to start the frame, before freshman Iliana Mejia (Beaumont, Calif.) drove in her first collegiate run with a bases-loaded walk.

Vanguard got one back in the top of the fifth, but came up short in their bid for a comeback as the Yotes sealed the win. 

Senior Samantha Vargas (Grand Terrace, Calif.) got the win in the circle for CSUSB, allowing only one earned run over six innings pitched for the Coyotes. She struck out seven in the win, while only allowing four hits. 

Goris and senior Tereise Tosi (Garden Grove, Calif.) led the way for the Coyotes with two hits and a run scored each.
 

Next up for the Coyotes, they will continue play with a pair of contests in Irvine on Saturday against Colorado State Pueblo and Dominican.