Sam Baker (3-1) pitched a three-hit shutout in the opening game and CSUC accounted for all its runs in two-out situations to hand the Tritons their third straight loss and take the series 3-1. UCSD stands at 5-2 overall and 1-3 in the CCAA while Chico State moves to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

The series loss is the first time UCSD has dropped a series since falling in three out of four at Cal State Dominguez Hills on March 11 and 12, 2011. Moreover, it was almost two years to the day- February 12, 2010- since the Tritons had fallen in three straight to the same opponent. The opponent? Chico State.

"We played not to lose today and we can't expect to do that and win," said UCSD head coach Patti Gerckens. "When our pitchers give up two runs, we absolutely should be able to push at least two across. It just wasn't there today, we left too many people on base."

Even though the Tritons won the runners-left-on-base battle- 16 compared with CSUC's 17- the untimeliness of those potential runs doomed the Tritons. Baker forced Kris Lesovsky to strikeout with the bases loaded to end game one and Kayla McConnell drew a soft ground out from Jennifer Manuel with the bases loaded and the Tritons down by one to end the sixth inning of game two.

Timely hitting was the name of the game for the Wildcats on the final day of the series. Bianca Lopez doubled to left center with two-down before Sam Quadt picker her up with an RBI single up the middle to make it 1-0 in the third inning of game one. Lopez returned the favor in the top of the sixth, driving-in Kelli Keefe with two-down on a single into left field to push the lead to two.

Meanwhile, UCSD struggled to make a difference at the plate.

Baker found herself in a bit of trouble in the second inning as Charly Swanberg walked and Caitlin Brown singled down the left field line to put runners on first and second with no out. Monique Portugal was unable to move the runners over with a bunt, but Tess Granath's ground out to the right side pushed the runners over to second and third with two down. Kirsten WIllmon followed with a hard grounder to first, however, CSUC's Rachel Failla snagged it and stepped on the bag to end the inning.

The Tritons were down to their final out in the seventh inning when Dyanna Imoto drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Mya Romero laced a single up the middle to load the bases as pinch runner Anne Wethe was held at third to load the bases. Lesovsky, who came into the at-bat 5-for-9 in the series, worked the count to a 3-1 advantage before fouling Baker's inside pitch to make the count full. She fouled off another pitch inside before Baker caught her on a check-swing over the outside corner to end the ballgame.

Gaito (3-1) earned her first loss on the season after allowing the pair of runs on nine hits. CSUC's first three hitters- Britt Wright, Lopez and Quadt- were 7-for-12 in the opening game.

Defensive miscues hurt the Tritons early in game two. Wright led-off the game with a seemingly-harmless bunt, but UCSD's Monique Portugal was unable to handle the throw while covering first base to let the runner aboard. Wright took second base on a sacrifice bunt before stealing third by taking advantage of a slight miscommunication between Brown behind the plate and Emily McQuaid at third. Quadt followed by legging-out a single to Portugal to put the Wildcats up 1-0.

CSUC used the same recipe to score its final run of the day. Wright singled to open the top of the fifth before moving over to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Lopez popped-out, Quadt cracked a two-out single up the middle to score Wright for a 2-0 lead.

UCSD's Michelle Escamilla (0-1), making her first career start, did well to keep the game from getting out of reach. CSUC was able to load the bases in the fourth and fifth innings, but Escamilla escaped by striking out Jackie Munoz and Cassidy Olson looking, respectively.

"(Escamilla) did a great job for us and she really showed she could handle tough situations," said Gerckens. "I am very happy with her performance today."

Nicole Spangler pushed a double down the right field line to open the bottom of the fifth. Wethe took her spot on the base paths and moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt. Lesovsky flew-out, leaving the runner on third with two out. Gerckens pinch-hit Maria Sykes for McQuaid and the freshman responded with a double into left field for the first RBI of her career to cut the deficit to 2-1.

UCSD nearly tied it the following at-bat. Imoto drew a two-out walk and Portugal bunted herself aboard. After CSUC's Jessica McDermott (3-1) hit Spangler in the back with her first pitch, Wildcat head coach Angle Shamblin brought in McConnell. Gerckens called on Manuel to pinch-hit for Willmon, but McConnell forced Manuel into a weak ground ball to the shortstop on a 2-2 count to end the threat.

Gaito came in to retire the Wildcats in order in the top of the seventh, but UCSD could not muster any offense in its final opportunity at the plate.

"I always say the little things make a big difference and they did this weekend," said Gerckens.