6-20, 0-7
CSUN
8-15, 4-3
Mustangs Earn First Big West Win to Split Saturday Doubleheader
3/21/2026 7:46:00 PM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE – Two-run doubles from sophomore catcher Maya Venegas and freshman shortstop Leilani Allen helped hand the Cal Poly softball program a 5-1, third-inning lead during Saturday’s series and doubleheader opener at CSUN, but the Matadors scored five times without reply – finalized by pinch hitter Maddie Padilla’s run-scoring single during the bottom of the eighth – as the Mustangs were edged, 6-5. Cal Poly, however, produced its first Big West victory of the year in game No. 2 with senior third baseman Mylina Garza delivering the game-winning single with one down in the top of the sixth.
During Saturday’s opening 6-5 setback, CSUN grabbed the game’s opening lead during the bottom of the second after shortstop Savannah Simons singled home right fielder Amber Rivas with one down.
Cal Poly though surged in front at the first opportunity as senior left fielder Kiara Blanchard reached to lead off the third on a CSUN fielding error before Choi singled with one down and sophomore right fielder Maddy Bermudez delivered a run-scoring double. Veneges followed with a full-count double of her own to plate Bermudez and Choi. Three batters later and after a single from freshman first baseman Myleigh Cooper, Allen stretched Cal Poly’s new-found lead to 5-1 with another two-run double.
CSUN, however, utilized run-scoring hits from first baseman Isabella Hiner and Rivas during the bottom half of the third to cut its gap to 5-4. Hiner then tied the matchup in the fifth, grounding out to plate Wright for a 5-5 deadlock.
The Mustangs, meanwhile, were retired in order during the sixth and seventh before stranding two of their five baserunners in the top of the eighth. CSUN then produced the winning run in the bottom half after Rivas led off with a single, reached second on a sacrifice bunt and scored through Padilla’s walk-off single up the middle.
During Saturday’s second matchup and 3-2 victory, Cal Poly required just two batters to go in front as Choi singled to lead off before stealing second and scoring through a single to right field from Bermudez. Three spots in the lineup later, Allen plated Bermudez with another base hit to right.
Limited to one hit through the opening two innings by Cal Poly sophomore starting righthander Bree Brennan (above; 4-6), CSUN halved Cal Poly’s lead in the third with left fielder Madison Okano hitting a one-out solo homer.
The Matadors tied the matchup – briefly – in the fifth as catcher Madilyn Hernandez doubled home Simons.
Into the sixth, however, Allen led off with a single before reaching second through junior center fielder A’Niyla Byrd’s sacrifice bunt. With freshman Madi Bohannon on to run, Garza singled into the right field for the eventual game-winning run.
In the circle, Brennan (4-6) conceded just three hits and struck out two Matadors in the complete-game victory.
Cal Poly and CSUN complete their three-game series on Sunday, March 22 at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Tso, Kaitlyn (4-7)
L: Ross, Amy (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Bermudez, Maddy 1 ; Venegas, Maya 2 ; Allen, Leilani 1
RBI: Bermudez, Maddy 1 ; Venegas, Maya 2 ; Allen, Leilani 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Choi, Karina 1 ; Bermudez, Maddy 1 ; Martinez, Sehren 1 ; Arlotto, Micayla 1 ; Blanchard, Kiara 1
SB: Choi, Karina 1
Batting:
2B: Simons, Savannah 1
RBI: Hiner, Isabella 3 ; Rivas, Amber 1 ; Simons, Savannah 1 ; Padilla, Maddie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Okano, Madison 1 ; Wright, Ta'Tiannah 2 ; Hiner, Isabella 1 ; Rivas, Amber 2
CS: Okano, Madison 1
HBP: Okano, Madison 1 ; Jackson, Raegan 1
