HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay wrapped up its postseason run on Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Division II West Regional at Pioneer Softball Field, falling 6-2 to Western Washington in an elimination game for the Pioneers. A quick start with a first-inning home run from Alexa Zumstein gave the Pioneers early life, but a four-run fourth inning by the Vikings proved to be the difference. The loss marked the end of a successful 2025 campaign for the Pioneers, who finished 40-15 overall under 10th year head coach Claire Sua-Amundson.

GAME SUMMARy

The Pioneers struck quickly in the top of the first inning. After Jeslyn Cuellar ripped a two-out double down the left field line, Zumstein drove a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run—her team-leading sixth of the season—giving Cal State East Bay a 2-0 lead.

Western Washington answered in the bottom of the third. A pair of hit batters and a single loaded the bases with two outs. An error in right field on a ball hit by Paris Dellamaggiore allowed two runs to score, evening the game at 2-2.

The decisive blow came in the fourth inning. After a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and a single loaded the bases again, Western Washington's Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez crushed a grand slam to center field, pushing the Vikings ahead 6-2.

Despite several base runners over the next three innings, the Pioneers could not mount a comeback. Cal State East Bay's last opportunity came in the seventh inning, but a game-ending double play sealed the result.

NOTABLE STATS

• Jeslyn Cuellar went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored and finished the NCAA West Regional 7-for-11 with a double, triple, home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored.
• Alexa Zumstein hit her sixth home run of the season, driving in both of East Bay's runs.
• Ashlee Toy pitched four innings with four strikeouts.
• As a team, Cal State East Bay finished the season with a program-record 245 strikeouts.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

With the loss, Cal State East Bay concludes its 2025 season. The Pioneers' 40 wins mark one of the strongest campaigns in program history, and with key returners and an accomplished coaching staff, the future remains bright for East Bay softball.