HAYWARD, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay softball team swept Friday's doubleheader over the UC San Diego Tritons at Pioneer Softball Field. The Pioneers defeated the Tritons, who are ranked #6 in the West Region, 5-0 in the opening game and 4-3 in the final game of the day.
 
With the wins, East Bay improves to 6-10 in CCAA action with a 10-10 mark overall. The loss pushes UC San Diego to 13-7 in the season with an 8-6 record in conference play.
 
In the opening game was a defensive battle as both squads remained scoreless until the Pioneers ripped off five runs in the bottom of the 5th inning.
 
Freshman pitcher Abby Greer (W, 5-5) turned in a dominating performance on the mound for the Pioneers. Greer tossed a one-hit shutout with two strikeouts while only walking one batter in only 78 pitches. This was Greer's second shutout of the season and her fifth complete game.  
 
Sophomore Meghan Araneta sparked the Pioneers 5th inning explosion with a single through the left side, her first hit of the season. Sophomore Courtney Leyba stepped up the plate with the basses loaded after Belle Palcencia reached on a fielding error by the Triton first baseman and an Ashley Allen intentional walk. Leyba pushed a RBI single through the left side to put CSUEB on the scoreboard first.
 
Senior Marisa Lerma opened the East Bay lead with a 2-RBI double to left bringing home Leyba and Allen. Senior Ali Cerminara put the final touches on a Pioneer victory with a RBI single up the middle scoring Sarah Fukushima to help CSUEB claim a 5-0 win.
 
The second game of the doubleheader featured more offensive action as UC San Diego jumped out to a 2-0 lead headed into the bottom of the third inning. Marisa Lerma put the Pioneers in the scoring column with a RBI single through the left side to score Ashley Allen, who reached on an error by the shortstop to begin the inning.
 
The Pioneers responded with claimed a 4-2 lead with three runs scored in the 4th inning. Freshman Emilie Portesi singled to left field to spark off the inning. Portesi scored on the next at bat as Haley Keahi reached on an error by the UC San Diego catcher. Meghan Araneta knocked a RBI single up the middle to bring home Keahi.
 
Courtney Leyba hit a RBI single to score Araneta as the Pioneers finished the inning with a 4-2 lead.
 
The Tritons would score a run in the top of the 6th inning but East Bay would hold on to their 4-3 lead to claim a victory and a sweep of the Friday twin bill.
 
Sophomore Bailee Glover (W, 3-1) tossed a complete game, her second of the season and tied a season high with four strikeouts. She did not allow any walks and tossed 96 pitches.
 
The Pioneers will finish their weekend home series against UC San Diego with a doubleheader tomorrow morning, March 11 at Pioneer Softball Field. The first pitch will be 11:00 a.m.