COSTA MESA, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Vanguard University Friday afternoon at the VU Softball Field.

CSUSB opened the day with a 1-0 defeat, before prevailing 5-3 in game two.

With the split, the Coyotes move to 18-18 overall on the 2026 season.

Game 1: Vanguard 1, CSUSB 0

The Coyotes fell short in a defensive effort in game one, as the Lions secured the only run of the game on a Cal State San Bernardino error in the fourth inning. 

Seniors Brooke Brazill (Clovis, Calif.) and Sarah Moite (Fresno, Calif.) and sophomore Iliana Mejia (Beaumont, Calif.) contributed the only three hits for the Yotes in the defeat.

Senior Ashley Legler (San Diego, Calif.) took the tough-luck loss in the circle for CSUSB, allowing just the one unearned run on three hits with a couple of Ks.

Game 2: CSUSB 5, Vanguard 3

The Coyotes jumped out to an early lead in game two when Mejia drove in the game's first run on a double to left center to plate senior Iris Bejarano (Salinas, Calif.).

The Lions answered in the bottom of the first, but CSUSB took the lead for good in the top of the third. Moite and Bejarano each had RBI doubles in the frame, before Bejarano scored on a Danyelle Castillo (Atwater, Calif.) reach of error. 

After Vanguard got a pair back in the bottom of the sixth, CSUSB grabbed a key insurance run in the top of the seventh. Brazill notched an RBI double in the frame to give the game its final score of 5-3.

In the circle, the win went to sophomore Ava Paquin (Fullerton, Calif.), who threw four relief innings, allowing no earned runs on three hits for her third win of the season. 

Bejarano led the Coyotes with two hits in the victory, scoring two runs and driving in a run.

CSUSB will be back in action for a road series against Cal Poly Humboldt starting on Friday, April 10. First pitch in game one of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.