HAYWARD, Calif. — No. 8 Cal State East Bay split Thursday's doubleheader against No. 1 Cal State San Marcos at Pioneer Softball Field, dropping a tight 2-1 decision in the opener before responding with a 6-3 win in game two.

In the first game, the Pioneers were locked in a pitcher's duel throughout.

Jeslyn Cuellar provided the lone run for East Bay with a solo home run in the third inning, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. Marissa Quintero was dominant in the circle, limiting the Cougars to just two hits across eight innings.

San Marcos broke through in the sixth, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to tie the game at 1-1. The Cougars then pushed across the go-ahead run in the eighth on an RBI single to secure the 2-1 victory.

Quintero tossed a complete game, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out four.

The second game saw East Bay respond with timely offense and a strong finish.

San Marcos struck first with two runs in the third inning, but the Pioneers answered in the bottom half. Cuellar drove in a run with a triple, and Jasmyn Morales followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.

The Cougars regained the lead in the fourth, but East Bay responded again in the fifth. Rylee Gomez delivered an RBI single to tie the game, and Isabel Mercado followed with an RBI single. Jennavee Campos added an RBI walk as the Pioneers took a 5-3 advantage.

East Bay added insurance in the sixth when Morales doubled in a run to extend the lead to 6-3.

Cuellar, Gomez, and Morales each drove in runs during the comeback effort, while Mercado finished with two hits and an RBI as East Bay totaled 10 hits.

In the circle, Ally Fuentes started and allowed three runs over four innings before Quintero entered in relief. Quintero earned the win, tossing three scoreless innings to close out the 6-3 victory.

Cal State East Bay continues the series Friday with a doubleheader against Cal State San Marcos at Pioneer Softball Field.