Cal State East Bay's softball team celebrates the exceptional talents of Marissa Quintero, a sophomore pitcher who has become a formidable presence on the mound. Known for her precise pitching and strategic gameplay, Quintero is not only a key player for the Pioneers but also one of the top players in the CCAA.
Marissa Quintero, originally from Whittier, California, stands out not only for her athletic performance but also for her academic passion as a Kinesiology major. In her debut season in 2024, Quintero was honored with several accolades including CCAA Freshman of the Year and NFCA DII All-Region West Second Team. Her innovative skills helped propel the Pioneers to their first NCAA Division II West Regional appearance as a CCAA member. Academically, she was an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete and was on the CCAA All-Academic Team.
As the Pioneers have had a historical start to the 2025 season, Quintero has enhanced her reputation further by pitching two no-hitters and maintaining an impressive earned run average of 1.38, the third lowest in the CCAA. Her ability to limit batters to a .188 average truly sets her apart in collegiate softball. Recognition of her prowess came early in the season when she was named FloCollege/CCAA Pitcher of the Week and was also selected for the Concordia Kickoff Classic All-Tournament Team.
In her own words, Quintero explains the significance of being a Pioneer, "Being a Cal State East Bay Pioneer means to me to be driven and to push through any obstacles that one may encounter." Her selection of Cal State East Bay was influenced by both location and academic opportunities, citing her appreciation for the scenic campus and its strong Kinesiology program. Despite facing challenges like a sore arm in last year's regionals, Quintero remains resilient, motivated by her past experiences and the strong support from her family and teammates.
Marissa Quintero continues to leave an indelible mark on the Cal State East Bay softball program and the broader sporting community through her athletic and academic endeavors. She hopes to continue her sophomore season's success in the circle as the Pioneers chase a regular season CCAA title as they are first in the conference standings.
Latest Women's Softball
- Pioneer Softball Clinches CCAA Tournament Berth on FridayHAYWARD, Calif. — On Friday afternoon at Pioneer Softball Field, No. 13 Cal State East Bay secured its spot in the 2025 CCAA Softball Tournament presented by FloCollege for the second consecutive year with a thrilling doubleheader sweep of Chico State. The Pioneers edged the Wildcats 5-4 in a comeback win in the opener and walked off with a 1-0 victory in 10 innings in the second game, fueled by a masterful performance in the circle by Marissa Quintero.
- Pioneer Preview: April 16-23The final home softball series takes place this week, along with a home baseball series, the track teams go to separate meets and next Monday through Wednesday, both golf teams will compete for a CCAA Championship in Santa Barbara.
- No. 13 Pioneer Softball Splits Saturday Doubleheader at No. 21 SF StateSAN FRANCISCO — No. 13 Cal State East Bay softball and No. 21 San Francisco State split a Friday afternoon doubleheader at SFSU Softball Field, with the Pioneers rolling to a five-inning 8-0 win in game one before the Gators rallied in extra innings to take game two, 6-5. Highlighted by a dominant start from Marissa Quintero in the opener and Gabriela Rivera's first career home run in game two, the day featured stellar performances from both sides in this pivotal CCAA doubleheader.
- Pioneers Split Doubleheader in Matchups of Nationally-Ranked TeamsSAN FRANCISCO — On a cool Friday afternoon at SFSU Softball Field, No. 13 Cal State East Bay split a tightly contested CCAA doubleheader with No. 21 San Francisco State. The Pioneers opened strong with a 5-1 win behind a dominant pitching performance and a four-run fifth inning, but the Gators answered with a shutout in game two, edging East Bay 1-0 thanks to a solo home run in the first.
- Pioneer Softball Reaches 30th Win of Season on SaturdayHAYWARD, Calif. — In a competitive CCAA doubleheader on Saturday at Pioneer Softball Field, No. 14 Cal State East Bay split a pair of games with visiting Cal State Monterey Bay. After dropping the opener 10-4, the Pioneers bounced back in dominant fashion behind a complete-game shutout from Marissa Quintero to take the second game 7-0. With the win in game two, East Bay reached the 30-win milestone for the first time since 2012.
- Pioneer Softball Sweeps CSUMB on FridayHAYWARD, Calif. — No. 14 Cal State East Bay softball extended its win streak with a pair of CCAA home victories over Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday at Pioneer Softball Field. Behind a masterclass two-hit shutout from Marissa Quintero in game one and a powerful first-inning offensive surge in game two, the Pioneers took both ends of the doubleheader to improve their position atop the CCAA standings.
