HAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay softball team begins its 2020 campaign this weekend, as the Pioneers will play five contests at the Concordia Kickoff Classic in Irvine, Calif.

CSUEB opens the season on Friday, Jan. 31, with a matchup against Biola beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by a showdown against No. 10-ranked Concordia Irvine later in the evening at 6 p.m.

The Pioneers resume action on Saturday, Feb. 1, when they face Hawai'i Pacific at 10 a.m., before taking on Azusa Pacific at 3 p.m. They wrap up this weekend's action against Western Washington on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m.

Live stats will be available for all contests, while Friday's game against Concordia will be streamed live.

Cal State East Bay was picked to finish 11th in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Preseason Coaches Poll on Jan. 21. The Pioneers begin 2020 with eight new players, and are led by 2019 all-conference infielder Sarah Fukushima. 

The senior from Sacramento led CSUEB last season with a .374 batting average, which was the third-best average by any Pioneer in the CCAA era. She also had team highs in hits and runs scored.

In addition, seniors Abby Greer, Bailee Glover, Jennifer Palmares and Emilie Portesi bring leadership and experience to the team.  

Greer led the Pioneers last season in wins (7), strikeouts (68) and innings pitched (132.1) last season, while Glover threw 44.2 innings in 18 appearances in the circle.

Palmares had CSUEB's third-best batting average a year ago (.307) as well as a team-high 12 doubles. Portesi tied for second on the team last year with 22 runs scored while amassing four home runs, six doubles and two triples.

Cal State East Bay will play their home opener next weekend against Cal State San Bernardino on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8 at Pioneer Softball Field.