IRVINE, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino softball team opened its 2026 season with a split of a non-conference doubleheader Friday at the CUI Kickoff Classic.

CSUSB opened the day with a 9-2 win over Menlo College, before falling 7-3 to Jessup University in the nightcap. The results see the Yotes start their season with a record of 1-1.

Game 1: Cal State San Bernardino 9, Menlo 2

The Coyotes got their 2026 season off to a very strong start with a one-sided victory over their future CCAA foes.

CSUSB scored at least one run in each of the first six innings, starting in the top of the first inning when junior Isabella Venegas (Upland, Calif.) scored classmate Katie Griego (Rialto, Calif.) from third on a sacrifice fly.

Menlo briefly took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first when they scored a pair on a triple, but starting pitcher Ashley Legler (San Diego, Calif.) leveled the score in the top of the second with CSUSB's second sacrifice fly in as many innings, plating senior Iris Bejarano (Salinas, Calif.)

In the third, CSUSB took the lead for good on a two-out error, and the Yotes would pad the lead on a fourth inning RBI groundout from Legler. In the fifth, Cal State San Bernardino extended its lead to three on an RBI base knock from redshirt sophomore Danyelle Castillo (Atwater, Calif.).

The Coyotes broke the contest open in the top of the sixth, plating four runs to take a 9-2 lead. Griego and Venegas each had RBI singles early in the inning, followed by bases-loaded hit-by-pitches for Castillo and freshman Nadine Juarez (San Bernardino, Calif.).

Legler looked sharp in the circle to earn her first win of 2026. She threw a complete game, allowing just the two first-inning earned runs on four hits while striking out a pair.

Game 2: Jessup 7, Cal State San Bernardino 3

CSUSB could not overcome an early deficit to fall in their second game of Opening Day.

The Warriors scored four times in the top of the first inning to take early command of the game. In the bottom of the second, the Coyotes got one back on an RBI fielder's choice from Griego, cutting Jessup's advantage to 4-1.

Jessup scored a single run in the fourth and two more in the fifth to go ahead 7-1. The Coyotes loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but were only able to push one run across when sophomore Daniela Luden (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) scored on a double play ball. 

In the sixth, Legler continued her strong start of the season with an RBI triple to plate freshman Jessica Gurule (Jurupa Valley, Calif.) for the game's final run. 

Sophomore Ava Paquin (Fullerton, Calif.) was tagged with the loss for the Coyotes, striking out six over four innings pitched. The CSUSB relief pitchers were a bright spot in the defeat, as redshirt sophomore Tara Skinner (Menifee, Calif.) and freshman Mo Cash (Upland, Calif.) combined for three shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six.

CSUSB will continue play at the CUI Kickoff Classic on Saturday with contests against Dominican and Nebraska-Kearney at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively.