LA JOLLA, Calif. - Kayla Hensel's five-inning no-hitter highlighted Saturday's doubleheader as the No. 2 UC San Diego softball team split with Cal State San Bernardino at Triton Softball Field.

UCSD rebounded from a 4-1 loss in the day's opening contest to take an 8-0 run rule victory in the second California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) game.

The Tritons are now 6-2 overall and 3-1 in CCAA play. The Coyotes sit at 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the conference. UCSD earned the series victory as it won Wednesday's first two games by scores of 8-0 and 8-2.

Game 1
The Tritons struck first, jumping out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Right fielder Callie Grant drew a lead-off walk and was sacrificed to second by center fielder Taylor Sepulveda. Following a fly ball out, catcher Caitlin Brown singled to left, driving in Grant for the afternoon's first run.

No runs were plated over the next four innings as just one hit was allowed, a single by third baseman Emily McQuaid in UCSD's half of the fifth.

However, San Bernardino struck for a three-spot in the top of the sixth. Second baseman Alyssa Ramos and left fielder Charlotte Galzote had back-to-back singles to lead off the frame. Shortstop Jacqueline Lopez reached on a fielder's choice, with Ramos out on the play at third base. After a line out to left field, first baseman Alyssa Flores blasted a two-out, three-run home run to center, putting the Coyotes up for good. It was the second round-tripper for Flores this season.

CSUSB added another run in the seventh when Ramos reached walked with two outs and eventually scored on an infield throwing error.

San Bernardino starting pitcher Kaitlyn Randall (1-2) earned her first win of the year, holding the UCSD offense to just two hits while striking out five over seven innings of work.

Michelle Escamilla (1-2) took the loss, surrendering three runs on four hits over 5.2 innings. She struck out two and walked one. Jennifer Manuel tossed the final 1.1 innings in relief, giving up one unearned run and no hits.

Game 2
The Triton offense exploded in game two, producing eight runs and 12 hits over five innings. Second baseman Amani Proctor was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, while catcher Katie Saunders and Grant each had two hits.

Already up 1-0, UCSD scored five times on five hits in the second inning. Brown smashed a three-run triple down the right field line, scoring Sepulveda, Grant and catcher Katie Saunders. Designated player Alissa Gutierrez later had a two-run single back up the middle to put UCSD up by a score of 6-0.

UCSD sealed the victory in the bottom of fifth. With no outs and the bases loaded, Grant singled through the left side of the infield to give the Tritons a 7-0 advantage. Sepulveda then ended it early with a single that scored pinch runner Dyanna Imoto.

Hensel's no-hitter extended her perfect record to 5-0. The sophomore right-hander struck out one and walked a pair over the five innings.

Coyote starter Taylor Davis (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up five runs on six hits in just two innings in the circle.

Up next, the Tritons hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to the Division II Lead-Off Classic in Tuscon, Ariz., Feb. 15-17. UCSD faces Augustana, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Central Oklahoma and Minnesota State-Mankato.

-- UCSDtritons.com --