Three-run Sixth Inning Propels Pioneers to Thursday Win in NCAA West Regional
HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay capitalized on a clutch sixth-inning rally and a dominant outing from Marissa Quintero to shut out Sonoma State 3-0 on Thursday at Pioneer Softball Field in the NCAA Division II West Regional (Hayward Pod) opener.
In a tense pitchers' duel, the top-seeded Pioneers broke through late with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by Alexa Zumstein's RBI double that snapped a scoreless tie. Jeslyn Cuellar followed with a triple to right field, and Cynthia Carrillo capped the surge with a sacrifice fly to center, giving East Bay all the cushion it needed behind Quintero's gem.
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GAME SUMMARIES |
After five innings of tight, scoreless softball, Cal State East Bay made its move in the bottom of the sixth. Annelise Garcia ignited the rally with an infield single. Zumstein then smashed a double to right-center, driving in Garcia for the game's first run. Ashley Reyes came in as a pinch runner and scored on Cuellar's RBI triple down the right-field line, pushing the lead to 2-0. Carrillo added an insurance run with a deep flyout to center, allowing Cuellar to score easily.
Sonoma State threatened early with a walk in the first, but Quintero induced a fielder's choice and retired the next two batters to escape. The Seawolves' best chance came in the seventh when they put a runner on with one out, but East Bay's defense held strong to secure the shutout.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Marissa Quintero threw a complete game one-hitter, her seventh shutout of the season, striking out three and walking four.
- Jeslyn Cuellar went 2-for-2 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored.
- Alexa Zumstein delivered the game-winning RBI double in the sixth inning.
- The victory marked the 200th career win for Cal State East Bay head coach Claire Sua-Amundson.
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
Cal State East Bay advances to the winner's bracket (non-elimination game) and will face No. 4 seed Western Washington at 10 a.m. on Friday at Pioneer Softball Field. The teams met earlier this season in East Bay's opener, with the Pioneers taking a 7-1 victory. Western Washington moved on with an 8-0, six-inning win over Concordia University Irvine in Thursday's other regional matchup in Hayward.
Sonoma State, while losing on Thursday, will play on Friday in an elimination game against Concordia after the Pioneers and Vikings meet.
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