CSUN Splits Doubleheader on First Day of Reggie Smith Invitational

Friday, February 27

San Diego, Calif.

9:00 a.m.

California State University at Northridge

4-9

San Diego State

11-6

SDSU

CSUN

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

CSUN Splits Doubleheader on First Day of Reggie Smith Invitational

2/27/2026 8:37:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- The CSUN softball team (4-10) defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 3-1, and fell to the Kansas City Roos, 6-5 on a walk-off single on day one of the Reggie Smith Invitational hosted by the University of San Diego. Isabella Hiner led the Matadors in game one with two RBIs, while Kaitlyn Tso earned save by striking out two in two innings of work.

In game two, Madison Okano led the Matadors with three hits and three RBIs. Maddie Padilla and Sheridan Gonzalez each drove in a run as well.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One vs San Diego State
CSUN opened the tournament with a victory over the San Diego State Aztecs.

The game was scoreless through the first five and a half innings. CSUN's starting pitcher, Malia Williams, pitched a scoreless five innings, striking out two while allowing six hits. She kept the Matadors in the ballgame even if things weren't clicking on the offensive side of the ball.

CSUN broke through in the bottom half of the fifth. After a double play to begin the inning, Isabella Valdez singled to left field to jumpstart the Matador offense. Amber Rivas then walked, bringing up Raegan Jackson to the plate with two runners on base. Jackson ended the scoreless tie with a single to shallow left field, plating Valdez and putting a run up on the board, 1-0.

The next batter, Hiner, singled down the right field line knocking in Rivas and Jackson. CSUN tallied three runs all with two outs.

In the top of the sixth, the Aztecs attempted to mount a comeback. A single and an error put two runners on for SDSU, which would be all for Williams. Tso relieved her as she looked to halt the rally.

And halt the rally she did. Tso came into the ball game and got her first batter to fly out to right field. The next batter, Gabriella Terrones, struck out swinging on a 3-2 count. Lastly, the rally came to an end when Tso got Emma French to fly out to left field.

In the top of the seventh, the Aztecs' first batter reached on a fielding error, before the next batter flew out to left field. SDSU would then get its lone run of the game when Jazmin Williams tripled down the right field line to make it a 3-1 game.

Tso would lock in after the triple. The next batter struck out swinging, and after a walk, the final batter lined out to right field to end the game.

Game Two vs Kansas City
The Roos got the scoring started in the bottom of the first. After two walks, Leilani Bustamante singled to left field to make it 1-0.

The Matadors countered in the top of the second, as three consecutive singles loaded the bases for Gonzalez. The freshman from Rosemead reached on a throwing error from the third baseman, allowing the lead runner Makenzi Padilla to score, tying the game up at one apiece. The next plate appearance for the Matadors turned into another run. Okano singled to shallow right field, plating Savannah Simons, making it a 2-1 ballgame.

Kansas City wasted no time taking the lead back in the bottom of the second. The Roos scored four runs on four singles with runners on and a steal of home. The offensive outburst put Kansas City up 5-2.

Pitching was the story for the next three innings, with no team cracking the scoreboard. In the sixth inning however, CSUN fought back. With one out, Jordan Ramirez singled through the left side. Ta'Tiannah Wright then singled up the middle to put two runners on for Okano. Okano has been leading with her bat all season and this inning was no different. She tripled to right-center knocking in two, making it a 5-4 game.

CSUN made it a whole new game when Maddie Padilla grounded out and Okano scored knotting the score at 5-5.

After a scoreless half inning from both sides, UMKC came into the bottom of the seventh for a chance to walk off the game. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Roos. After a popout to get the first out, Elleana Navarrio singled to shallow center field to end the game.

NOTES OF THE GAME

Okano now leads the team with nine RBIs on the year.
Okano hit the first triple of the season for CSUN.
Tso has earned her third save on the season.
Williams has now earned her third win.
Jackson went 2-3 in game one, she now leads the team with a .405 average.
Wright notched her first collegiate base hit against Kansas City.

UP NEXT
CSUN plays the Washington Huskies tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. The game will not be streamed live but there will be a live stats link on GoMatadors.com.