IRVINE, Calif. – No. 17 Cal State East Bay opened the 2026 season Friday at Great Park with a split on the first day of the Concordia Kickoff Classic, earning a 3-1 victory over UH Hilo before dropping an 8-3 decision to Colorado Christian. The Pioneers showcased early execution and strong pitching in the opener, then battled back late in the nightcap after facing a big third inning.
No. 17 Cal State East Bay 3, UH Hilo 1
Cal State East Bay struck quickly in its season opener, taking advantage of early UH Hilo miscues in the top of the first inning. Jeslyn Cuellar led off the game with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. She scored the first run of the 2026 campaign when Jasmyn Morales reached on an error. Morales later came around to score when another error allowed Rylee Gomez to reach, giving the Pioneers a 2-0 lead before an out was recorded.
East Bay added to the cushion in the top of the second inning. With runners on, Jennavee Campos delivered an RBI single to bring home the third run of the game and extend the lead to 3-0.
UH Hilo broke through in the bottom of the fifth with its lone run, but that was all the Vulcans could manage. Marissa Quintero settled in after the early innings, working efficiently and keeping UH Hilo off balance. She closed out the complete-game effort by retiring the final hitters and securing the Pioneers' first win of the season.
Colorado Christian 8, No. 17 Cal State East Bay 3
After two scoreless innings to begin the game, Colorado Christian seized momentum in the top of the third inning. The Cougars strung together a series of extra-base hits, including two RBI triples and two RBI doubles, and added a run on a groundout to produce a six-run frame and take a commanding 6-0 lead.
Colorado Christian continued to add on, scoring once in the fourth inning and again in the sixth to push the advantage to 8-0.
Cal State East Bay answered in the bottom of the sixth, refusing to go quietly. Cuellar scored the first run of the game for the Pioneers on a fielder's choice RBI. Gomez followed with an RBI single that drove in Campos, and Morales later crossed the plate to make it an 8-3 contest. The rally ended there, however, as Colorado Christian retired the side in the seventh to close out the game.
Quintero highlighted the day in the circle, earning the win in game one with a complete-game performance that included seven strikeouts and just one run allowed. Offensively, Cuellar finished 4-for-8 across the two games and scored three runs, while Morales recorded three hits on the day.
Cal State East Bay returns to action Saturday on the second day of the Concordia Kickoff Classic at Great Park. The Pioneers will face Vanguard at 10:30 a.m. before wrapping up the day against Hawai'i Pacific with a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.
