Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1 box | Game 2 box

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Cal State East Bay softball team struck even on the inaugural day of the Grand Canyon Classic on Saturday in Phoenix, Ariz. In the first game of the day, the Pioneers struck first and last en route to a 7-4 decision over Grand Canyon University.The Pioneers' second game of the doublehader saw Western New Mexico take a 7-6 victory.

The Antelopes mustered a 7-6 comeback in the second game of the doubleheader. The Pioneers posted an impressive four runs off four hits and capetilzing on two Antelope errors to pull within one but it was not enough to force extras.

Game One: Cal State East Bay 7, Grand Canyon 4:

The first inning saw CSUEB's Jamie Yaller ground out to third but it was far from unproductive for Thomas scored from third for the Pioneers' first run of the game. The Pioneers would not score until the top of the third, when Yaller drove in another run, this time with a single to center to plate Adair.

Three was the lucky number for Grand Canyon for the XX scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to pull ahead over the Pioneers, 3-2. East Bay equaled the score in the top of the fourth thanks to an unearned run scored by Taylor Newhouse.

The fifth inning belonged to Cal State East Bay for the Pioneers posted three runs off three hits and one error to pull ahead 6-3. East Bay upped its lead to 7-3 off a single to right for Taylor Neumann. Neither team posted a scored in the seventh for the Pioneers to earn the 7-4 victory.

Game Two: Western New Mexico 7, Cal State East Bay 6:

In the top of the third, the Antelopes homered for a 1-0 lead. Pioneers countered in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a Devin Salmones sending the pitch flying high and over the right-field wall. Western New Mexico notched an unearned run in the top of the fifth to pull ahead 2-1.

The top of the sixth saw New Mexico post five runs off five hits but leave three runners left on base, upping the Antelopes' lead to 7-2. The bottom of the seventh was ripe with drama for the Pioneers mustered a storybook comeback with four runs off four hits and two Antelope errors. However, East Bay left one runner stranded and were one run short of extra innings, dropping the match 7-6.

What's Next on the Diamond:

The Pioneers continue tournament play in Arizona on Sunday with what could be a rematch Sunday with an 11:30 a.m. PT rematch with Western New Mexico and 2 p.m. versus Grand Canyon.