TURLOCK, Calif. – Cal State East Bay softball played in the 21st Annual Tournament of Champions, Presented by the City of Turlock, as the Pioneers took on UH Hilo in Friday's early game and Azusa Pacific in their later game at Pedretti Sports Complex. The Pioneers defeated the Vulcans 8-0, in five innings, and lost 6-1 to the Cougars. After the first day of the Tournament of Champions, the Pioneers are 14-8 overall. 
 

The Pioneers got the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning with four runs. Jeslyn Cuellar tripled to right field to drive in Ysabella Cortez, Mariah Ayala hit an RBI single to follow, Sarissa Block doubled to left center field for an RBI and Cynthia Carrillo hit an RBI single for a 4-0 lead.

Cal State East Bay added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning on a single by Annelise Garcia that drove in two RBIs. The Pioneers scored their final runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run double hit by Cuellar for an 8-0 lead. 

In the top of the fifth, Savannah Barchus entered the circle and retired all three Vulcans she faced to close the game for an 8-0 run-rule victory. 

• Ashlee Toy got the win in the circle with four innings pitched with six strikeouts. 
• Cuellar led the Pioneers' offense going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Both hits were of extra base variety. 
• Garcia also had two hits in game one. 

The Cougars combined for six runs throughout the first six innings. The Pioneers scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on an Adriana Martinez RBI single to right field that drove in Garcia.

• Toy went 2-for-3 to lead the Pioneers' offense in the game. 

The Pioneers will have two games Saturday in the Tournament of Champions, weather permitting.They are scheduled to take on Central Washington at 11:30 a.m. from Warrior Softball Field in Turlock and at 4:30 p.m., the Pioneers are scheduled to take on Simon Fraser, back at Pedretti Sports Complex.