Pioneer Softball Season Concludes Saturday in NCAA West Regional
HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay wrapped up its postseason run on Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Division II West Regional at Pioneer Softball Field, falling 6-2 to Western Washington in an elimination game for the Pioneers. A quick start with a first-inning home run from Alexa Zumstein gave the Pioneers early life, but a four-run fourth inning by the Vikings proved to be the difference. The loss marked the end of a successful 2025 campaign for the Pioneers, who finished 40-15 overall under 10th year head coach Claire Sua-Amundson.
|
GAME SUMMARy |
The Pioneers struck quickly in the top of the first inning. After Jeslyn Cuellar ripped a two-out double down the left field line, Zumstein drove a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run—her team-leading sixth of the season—giving Cal State East Bay a 2-0 lead.
Western Washington answered in the bottom of the third. A pair of hit batters and a single loaded the bases with two outs. An error in right field on a ball hit by Paris Dellamaggiore allowed two runs to score, evening the game at 2-2.
The decisive blow came in the fourth inning. After a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and a single loaded the bases again, Western Washington's Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez crushed a grand slam to center field, pushing the Vikings ahead 6-2.
Despite several base runners over the next three innings, the Pioneers could not mount a comeback. Cal State East Bay's last opportunity came in the seventh inning, but a game-ending double play sealed the result.
|
NOTABLE STATS |
- Jeslyn Cuellar went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored and finished the NCAA West Regional 7-for-11 with a double, triple, home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored.
- Alexa Zumstein hit her sixth home run of the season, driving in both of East Bay's runs.
- Ashlee Toy pitched four innings with four strikeouts.
- As a team, Cal State East Bay finished the season with a program-record 245 strikeouts.
|
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE |
With the loss, Cal State East Bay concludes its 2025 season. The Pioneers' 40 wins mark one of the strongest campaigns in program history, and with key returners and an accomplished coaching staff, the future remains bright for East Bay softball.
Latest Women's Softball
- Awards Add Up for Quintero, Who Was Named D2 CCA All-America Third TeamDARDANELLE, Ark. - The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) announced its All-American Softball Teams for the 2025 season on Thursday. From Cal State East Bay, sophomore pitcher Marissa Quintero was named to the D2 CCA All-America Third Team. It was Quintero's second All-America honor in as many days, as she was named to the NFCA Division II All-America Third Team on Wednesday.
- Quintero Named to NFCA All-America Third TeamCHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its 2025 NFCA Division II All-America teams at the NCAA Division II Championship Banquet at Tennessee Aquarium on Wednesday evening. Among 56 student-athletes selected as an NFCA All-American, Marissa Quintero was named to the NFCA Division II All-America Third Team, which adds to her collection of postseason honors following an outstanding sophomore season in the circle.
- Pioneer Spotlight: Spring 2025 Stories of the SeasonThe 2024-25 athletic year for Cal State East Bay was memorable and BOLD! And the spring season brought so many outstanding feats individually and for the teams in season. While track & field and baseball had some outstanding moments and accomplishments in the spring, the Pioneer Spotlight will focus on the men's golf, women's golf and softball.
- Claire Sua-Amundson's 2025 Season Filled With Feats, Including 200th WinTo say the least, the 2025 season for Cal State East Bay Softball was memorable and historical, which was a testament to the leadership and coaching of Pioneers head coach Claire Sua-Amundson.
- Quintero, Toy and Garcia Garner D2 CCA All-West Region HonorsSAN DIEGO - The Division II Conference Commissions Association (D2 CCA) has announced its 2025 All-Region selections for softball. From Cal State East Bay, Marissa Quintero and Ashlee Toy were named D2 CCA All-West Region First Team selections, and Annelise Garcia was named to the Second Team. Quintero also received D2 CCA West Region Pitcher of the Year honors. These honors for the Pioneers are upon an outstanding season for the program, the first since 1992 with 40 wins.
- Pioneers Drop Early Game on Friday, But Respond With Win to Reach Saturday's NCAA West Regional FinalsHAYWARD, Calif. - Cal State East Bay softball delivered a resilient performance on Friday at Pioneer Softball Field, bouncing back from an extra-inning loss to open the day's NCAA Division II West Regional play with a crucial elimination game win later in the day. The Pioneers dropped a tightly contested 2-1 eight-inning battle to Western Washington in the morning but responded with a 3-1 victory over Concordia University Irvine in the afternoon, staying alive in the postseason and setting up a rematch with the Vikings on Saturday.