HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay softball team is back in action this week with a home series against Sonoma State, which will be played at the softball complex at Ohlone College in Fremont.

For what seems like the first weekend all season, the Pioneers can expect nice weather for their 1 p.m. doubleheader Friday afternoon, followed by their 12 p.m. twinbill on Saturday. 

CSUEB is coming off a road trip to Cal State Monterey Bay last weekend that featured several rain delays over the course of four games. Although the Otters won the series, the Pioneers did notch their first victory of the season in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play, breaking out offensively for an 8-4 win last Friday.

The Pioneers tallied six extra base hits in that contest, led by newcomer Jackie Najera with a pair of doubles. Freshman Madi Greco went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs, continuing her impressive rookie campaign. Greco is batting .313 for the season, second-best on the team, and she ranks among the conference leaders in slugging percentage thanks to three home runs.

No Pioneer hitter has been hotter than Sarah Fukushima, however. She continues to be an on-base machine, reaching 11 times in 14 plate appearances at CSUMB. That included four walks and three hit-by-pitches, as well as her team-leading fourth homer of the season. Through 19 games, the junior leads the .CCAA with a .603 on-base percentage. She's also fourth in the league with a .480 batting average.

Junior Emilie Portesi has had a resurgent season thus far, batting .283 and leading the team with 10 runs scored. Senior Meghan Araneta has provided a boost as well, hitting .316 in conference play.

In the circle, the Pioneers will look for their veteran pitchers to give keep them in it against a typically strong Sonoma State club. The group has shown flashes of excellence recently -- Abby Greer took a no-hitter in the sixth at Stanislaus and tossed 5.1 hitless innings in the win over CSUMB; Taylor Lara was outstanding over 5.2 innings of relief in a narrow 2-1 loss in Seaside; and Abby Burkhloder gave up just two runs on five hits in a complete game two weeks ago in Turlock. A full series of consistent performance could turn the Pioneers into a formidable opponent.

SCOUTING SONOMA
The Seawolves have also had their schedule ravaged by weather, as they've had eight games rained out thus far. They're batting .285 as a team and the pitching staff has a 5.25 ERA, both of which rank in the bottom three in the conference. Cameron Kirtlan (.432 avg, .523 obp, 15 R, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 10 SB) and Alee Balanon (.471 avg) have both had outstanding seasons to lead SSU offensively. Reigning CCAA Pitcher of the Week Brielle Vidmar is 4-2 in the circle with a 4.41 ERA in 39.2 innings.