7-21, 1-8
CSUN
9-16, 5-4
Cal Poly Rallies in Sixth at CSUN before Falling, 11-7
3/22/2026 4:11:00 PM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE – Senior Kiara Blanchard (above, center) capped a five-run sixth inning for the Cal Poly softball program with a bases-clearing triple, but CSUN itself produced a six-run bottom half of the sixth to surge past Cal Poly in Sunday’s series finale, 11-7.
The Mustangs led Sunday’s matchup early before CSUN scored four times during the bottom half of the second and once more to close the third and place Cal Poly in a 5-2 deficit.
Cal Poly was held to one combined hit between the fourth and fifth innings, but freshman shortstop Leilani Allen singled to lead off the sixth before junior center fielder A’Niyla Byrd homered. The Mustangs proceded to load the bases against Matadors reliever Malia Williams and, with two down, Blanchard tripled to right center to hand Cal Poly a 7-5 advantage.
CSUN then received a one-out solo homer from left fielder Madison Okano during the bottom half of the sixth before a run-scoring single by center fielder Raegan Jackson tied the matchup. Two batters later, a fielder’s choice from pinch hitter Maddie Padilla scored right fielder Amber Rivas for the lead and the Matadors added three more runs for the 11-7 advantage. CSUN produced the six-run inning on just three hits with Cal Poly’s pitchers walking a combined three with the Mustangs also committing an error.
Three successive Mustangs singled to open the seventh, but a fielder’s choice from sophomore left fielder Aly Barrios cut down Allen at home plate. Sophomore second baseman Sienna Erskine then struck out before catcher Makayla Villapando fouled out to end the matchup.
Byrd led all players with three hits for Cal Poly, which outhit CSUN, 11-8, but stranded nine baserunners.
Cal Poly continues action when hosting UC Riverside for a Saturday, March 28 doubleheader and Sunday, March 29 single matchup. First pitch each afternoon is 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williams, Malia (4-7)
L: Ross, Amy (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Erskine, Sienna 1
3B: Blanchard, Kiara 1
HR: Byrd, A'Niyla 1
RBI: Blanchard, Kiara 3 ; Byrd, A'Niyla 2
SF: Garza, Mylina 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Choi, Karina 1 ; Bermudez, Maddy 1 ; Martinez, Sehren 1 ; Allen, Leilani 1 ; Byrd, A'Niyla 2 ; Erskine, Sienna 1
CS: Barrios, Aly 1
Batting:
HR: Okano, Madison 1 ; Jackson, Raegan 1
RBI: Okano, Madison 1 ; Perez, Vanessa 1 ; Jackson, Raegan 2 ; Hernandez, Madilyn 2 ; Padilla, Maddie 1 ; Valdez, Isabella 1 ; Kolkowski, Kylie 2
SH: Valdez, Isabella 1
SF: Valdez, Isabella 1 ; Kolkowski, Kylie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Okano, Madison 1 ; Perez, Vanessa 1 ; Rivas, Amber 1 ; Jackson, Raegan 3 ; Wright, Ta'Tiannah 2 ; Hernandez, Madilyn 2 ; Simons, Savannah 1
SB: Okano, Madison 1 ; Jackson, Raegan 1 ; Wright, Ta'Tiannah 1 ; Simons, Savannah 1
HBP: Jackson, Raegan 1 ; Hernandez, Madilyn 1 ; Valdez, Isabella 1 ; Simons, Savannah 1
