HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal State East Bay will return to Pioneer Field and California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play when it hosts Cal State San Bernardino this weekend. The Pioneers and Coyotes will tangle for back-to-back doubleheaders starting on Friday, April 11, at 1 p.m.

Standings: 2014 CCAA Softball

Both squads return to league play after taking part in the Tournament of Champions hosted by Cal State Stanislaus. The Pioneers went 2-5 and finished runner-up in the Platinum Bracket. The Coyotes went 5-2 and finished the event on a four-game winning streak highlighted by the Consolation Bracket title.

"We are going to work to play East Bay softball this weekend. When we focus on winning each pitch and winning every inning, good things happen," said East Bay Head Coach Barbara Pierce. "It is great to be back home after a long road stand. We are looking forward to playing on our field in front of our fans."

Cal State East Bay hit .302 as a team with many solid individual performances throughout the weekend. Jaynie MacDonald drove in six runs to lead the Pioneers highlighted by a first inning grand slam against UC San Diego. Kelsey LaVaute went 6-for-19 with no bigger hit than the eventual game-winning two-run homer against Western Oregon in the team's tournament opener.

Pitcher Emily Perlich collected two wins over the weekend and struck out 15 batters in 22 innings of work. She currently averages nearly five strikeouts per game and ranks fourth among CCAA pitchers with 86 punch outs.

Cal State San Bernardino earned three wins by two runs or less but comfortably took down Chaminade in pool play and in the Consolation Bracket title game. The Coyotes enter the weekend on their longest winning streak of the season at four games and with one of the top hitters in the CCAA.

Nicole Nobbe leads the league with her .500 batting average and 63 base hits this season. She holds other top 10 marks among conference players in runs scored (31), doubles (16), on base percentage (.544), and slugging percentage (.667). Nobbe has at least one hit in 31-of-42 games this season and enters Friday's opener with three straight multi-hit contests.

Cassandra Williams won her last two starts in the circle and finished with 10 strikeouts and a 1.73 ERA. She currently ranks third in the CCAA with 95 strikeouts and has a pair of 10 strikeout games this season. Teammate Stephanie Luhman is 2-0 with a save and a 1.62 ERA over her last three appearances. The pitching pair has combined for 24 of the team's 25 wins this season.

Cal State San Bernardino (12-12) is currently two games behind Sonoma State (14-10) for the fourth and final spot for the CCAA Post-Season Tournament. Chico State (13-11) is one game back of the Seawolves. Cal State East Bay (9-15) is five back with 12 regular season league contests remaining.

For more information on upcoming contests, visit the Cal State East Bay softball schedule page.

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