Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CARSON, Calif. – Pitcher Emily Perlich tossed the eighth no-hitter in program history as Cal State East Bay earned a 9-0 victory in Saturday's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Pioneer newcomer needed just 48 pitches over five innings as she recorded six strikeouts to clinch the weekend series over the Toros.

Perlich (6-10) earned her fourth straight win and extended the team's season-long winning streak to six games following her complete game effort against Dominguez Hills (15-23, 9-19 CCAA). A third inning leadoff walk to Catherine Brown was her only blemish of the game as she faced one batter over the minimum. It was only one of two different instances in which a Toros batter worked a three-ball count, with the other an inning ending strikeout in the fourth.

"Emily had an amazing day today. She did a great job executing her pitches and dominating hitters," complimented East Bay Head Coach Barbara Pierce of Perlich's effort. "She has put in the work and continued to get better every weekend. Today was a huge payout for her hard work and commitment to this team."

Meli Sanchez and Kelsey LaVaute teamed up to drive in eight of the team's nine runs in support during the opener. Both went 3-for-3 at the plate, including a home run, to go along with four RBI each. Sanchez provided the game-winning hit with a two-run second inning blast, and LaVaute put the run-rule in effect heading into the bottom of the fifth with a three-run shot in the top half of the frame.

Perlich is the seventh different Pioneer to throw a no-hitter and the first this millennium. Angel Alcorcha no-hit San Francisco State in 1998 on her way to one of two perfect games thrown in team history.

The victory also clinched the team's first series win over Cal State Dominguez Hills since joining the CCAA for the 2010 campaign. The Pioneers matched their win total against the Toros this weekend (3-1) from the previous four seasons combined (3-14). However CSUDH would get a much needed victory that snapped the Pioneers six-game win streak and ended their own 16-game losing skid.

A three-run third inning homer off the bat of Alex Vela lifted the Pioneers to a 5-1 lead, and hopes of a series sweep were high. However a pair of two-out rallies tied the game through five innings and a disastrous defensive frame for East Bay aided the completion of the Toros comeback.

The CSUEB defense did not commit an error through three-plus games and a total of 24 innings. In the sixth inning of the series finale the Pioneers committed four errors leading to the go-ahead runs and the eventual margin of victory in an 8-5 final score.

CSUDH pitcher Alicia Paiz (2-7) notched her second victory of the season after allowing five runs (one earned) in a complete game effort. Starting pitcher Kelsey Cairns (4-5) did not factor in the decision after allowing five runs over 4.2 innings off seven hits and five walks.

Cal State East Bay (14-18, 9-15 CCAA) will compete this weekend at the Turlock Convention & Visitors Bureau Tournament of Champions starting on Friday, April 4.

"It was a great weekend. We are finally playing to our potential and we have defined what playing East Bay Softball means. We are excited to play tournament ball next weekend," said Pierce.

East Bay Athletics Twitter: https://twitter.com/CSUEBathletics
East Bay Softball Twitter: https://twitter.com/CSUEBsoftball
East Bay Athletics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSUEBathletics
East Bay Athletics Instagram: http://instagram.com/csuebathletics