HAYWARD, Calif. — No. 16 Cal State East Bay saw its 2026 season come to a close Saturday afternoon, falling 3-2 to Biola University in the NCAA Division II West Regional championship round at Pioneer Field.
The loss ended a postseason run that saw the Pioneers battle through the elimination bracket and advance to the regional final after winning the program's first CCAA Tournament championship the week before.
Biola struck early.
The Eagles pushed across two runs in the opening inning behind a two-run double and carried the early momentum into the middle innings. East Bay answered in the fourth, capitalizing on pressure throughout the inning to tie the game at 2-2.
Macie Mead brought home the first run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Reagan Hallett followed with an RBI walk to even the score and shift momentum back toward the Pioneers.
The tie didn't last long.
Biola answered in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double to regain a 3-2 advantage, and the East Bay offense was unable to find the equalizer over the final three innings despite multiple opportunities.
The Pioneers threatened in both the fifth and sixth innings, putting runners aboard and moving the tying run into scoring position late, but Biola's bullpen held on to close out the win.
Jaidyn Gamble delivered a strong relief effort after entering in the first inning, allowing just one run over the final 5.2 innings while keeping East Bay within striking distance throughout the afternoon.
Jeslyn Cuellar, Jasmyn Morales, Isabel Mercado, Macie Mead and Ava Benavides each recorded hits in the finale as East Bay finished with five hits.
The Pioneers conclude the season with a 43-17 overall record, a CCAA Tournament championship, and an appearance in the NCAA Division II West Regional final.
