SAN MARCOS, Calif. – After advancing through a single elimination game, Cal State East Bay softball won its first game of double elimination play with a pair of solo home runs and outstanding pitching for a 2-0 win over top-seeded Sonoma State. 
 

GAME SUMMARY

Through four innings both teams were scoreless and Marissa Quintero had not allowed a hit during the stretch. 

In the top of the fifth with two outs on a 3-2 count, Kyana Elder broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run as the Pioneers took a 1-0 lead. 

The lead doubled for CSUEB in the top of the seventh inning when Jeslyn Cuellar hit a solo home run down the left field line as the Pioneers took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh. 

Although the Seawolves had a runner on base in the bottom of the seventh, Quintero retired the final two batters capped off with a strikeout as the Pioneers won 2-0. 
 

NOTABLE STATS

• Quintero pitched a second straight complete game in the circle. She pitched seven scoreless innings allowing only two hits with four strikeouts. 
• Elder's home run was her third of the season and Cuellar launched her second home run in 2024.
• The Pioneers reached 27 wins for the first time since the 2017 season. 

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

 

UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY

The Pioneers return to CSUSM Softball Field on Friday for a matchup with the tournament host team, Cal State San Marcos. First pitch is set for noon. In the regular season, CSUEB and the Cougars split their four-game series, 2-2. The two teams meet in the next round because of the Pioneers' win and a 5-2 win by Cal State San Marcos over Cal State Dominguez Hills. 

If the Pioneers win on Friday, they advance to Saturday's final. A loss though would result in a Friday afternoon matchup against Cal State Dominguez Hills in the non-winner side of the bracket.

Sonoma State was eliminated from the tournament later in the day with its second loss on Thursday, 4-3 to CSUDH.