LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego fell to CSUN in the final two games of the series on Saturday afternoon. In game one, the Tritons led until the seventh when a grand slam flipped the score to 4-2 CSUN. The second game was scoreless till a lone run from the Matadors in the seventh became the deciding factor for a 1-0 final.
 
Tossing her first complete game, Kaia Simpson had a career day with nine strikeouts and five walks. The senior allowed four runs on four hits after holding CSUN hitless through four innings.
 
The Triton offense left 10 runners on in the first game loss. At the plate, Bobbi Aguirre was 2-for-3 with a run and RBI from a solo shot to left field. Morgan Eng was 1-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base. Zoe Richards was 2-for-3 at the plate as well.
 
Getting the start in game two, Jada Cecil tossed a six-inning no-hitter with a single hit by pitch. The right-hander record one strike and no walks, forcing 12 fly outs and four ground outs. Coming in as relief, Gabby Williams allowed one run on two hits with one walk in the final inning.
 
The Tritons were shutout on the board and recorded two hits and left six runners on base. Marissa Hassis and Zoe Richards each recorded a hit. Seven Tritons were punched out by the CSUN pitching staff.

CSUN 4, UC SAN DIEGO 2
The board remained empty for both squads until the bottom of the fourth when the Tritons struck first with a lone run. Zoe Richards punched a single to right field to become the lead runner. On a fielder's choice, Mikaila Pancino laced a hit to the left side that turned into a force out for Richards at second. Hailey Mulligan then battled through seven pitches to walk and advance Pancino. On a hard-hit single through the right side from Morgan Eng, Mulligan reached third and Pancino came home to make the score, 1-0. Mulligan and Eng were both left stranded.
 

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— UC San Diego Softball (@UCSDsoftball) May 6, 2023

 
UC San Diego struck again in the next inning when Bobbi Aguirre knocked a solo-home run over the left field fence. The knock was her first home run of the season and gained an insurance run for the Tritons, 2-0.
 

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— UC San Diego Softball (@UCSDsoftball) May 6, 2023

 
The Tritons were one out and one strike away from victory in the top of the seventh when CSUN cracked a grand slam to go ahead 4-2. The Tritons threatened in the bottom of the same inning but were unable to convert.
 
CSUN 1, UC SAN DIEGO 0
The board remained empty until the seventh inning when CSUN went ahead with a lone run.
 
Shutout from scoring, the Tritons only threatened twice over the seven innings. Looking to capitalize on a walk by Alexa DeMarse, the Tritons were able to get DeMarse to second before leaving her stranded. In the sixth Marissa Hassis started the inning with a leadoff single through the right side. A sac bunt from Keila Bosinger moved Hassis into scoring position. Hassis was then able to reach third on a passed ball. The next two outs came and Hassis was stranded 60 feet from home.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• All three games were decided in the seventh inning with CSUN earning each win.
• Kaia Simpson tossed her first complete game of the season and recorded nine strikeouts for a career high punch outs in a single game.
• Jada Cecil allowed no runs or hits over six innings. The lone runner during her time was a hit-by-pitch.
• This is the second sweep of the season for the Tritons.
• After game two of the doubleheader, the Tritons honored their seven graduating seniors: Keila Bosinger, Clarissa Reynoso, Mikaila Pancino, Kelley Renner, Sophia Real, Kaia Simpson, and Bobbi Aguirre.
• UC San Diego falls behind in the all-time vs. series against CSUN at 5-9.
   

UP NEXT
UC San Diego will conclude the 2023 season on the road at Cal Poly for a three-game series vs. the Mustangs. The series begins on Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm and will wrap on Saturday with a single game also set for a 1:00 pm start.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.