CSUN Falls in Walk-Off Loss to California Baptist, 4-3

Tuesday, March 31

Riverside, CA

6:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

9-20

California Baptist University

28-12

CSUN

California Baptist

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

CSUN Falls in Walk-Off Loss to California Baptist, 4-3

3/31/2026 10:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- The CSUN softball team (9-20, 5-7 Big West) fell in heart breaking fashion to the California Baptist Lancers, 4-3 at John C. Funk Softball Stadium Tuesday night. Madison Okano and Makenzi Padilla both drove in runs for the Matadors. Malia Williams pitched a solid game, going all seven innings, while striking out three with just two earned runs allowed.

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a pitcher's duel for the first two and a half innings as Malia Williams and Annika Hollingsworth went toe-to-toe. Jordyn Madrigal walked to start the bottom of the third. A sacrifice bunt advanced her to second. Matti Severns then reached on a throwing error and Madrigal scored to make it 1-0. The Lancers would double their lead when Makayla Medellin singled to center field. Severns scored, making it 2-0 heading into the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, CSUN answered back. Mackenzie Kila singled to center field and stole second base on the next at bat. Savannah Simons reached on a fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners with nobody out. Simons then put on the gas to steal second, but the throw from the catcher sailed into the outfield allowing Kila to score, cutting CBU's lead in half and making it a 2-1 game. After Padilla put down a squeeze bunt, the Lancer first baseman threw the ball home, but Simons scored before the tag, tying the game at 2-2.

It would remain 2-2 until the top of the sixth. After two strikeouts to begin the inning, Madilyn Hernandez walked. Isabella Valdez then singled to put two runners on base. Okano then came up clutch. She rocketed a single off the shortstop's glove that ricocheted into left field. Hernandez scored as CSUN now led 3-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Lancers responded. A single, two walks and a wild pitch evened the scoring at three heading into the seventh.

CSUN fell short in bringing in a go-ahead run in the top of the seventh, opening a door for CBU in the bottom of the inning.

The Lancers recorded two straight singles and a fielder's choice to open up the inning. A single off the bat of Ashlee Annett brought home the winning run.

NOTES OF THE GAME

With the three strikeouts today, Williams now has 28 on the season. This was also her fourth complete game of the season.
Okano, Kila, Makenzi Padilla and Valdez all had hits for the Matadors.
CSUN drew six walks in the game.
California Baptist's record is now 28-12 with the win. The Lancers are 12-4 at home.
CSUN's top four batters only struck out once between them.

UP NEXT
CSUN returns home for a three-game set against the Cal State Fullerton Titans April 3-4 at Matador Diamond. Both teams will play a doubleheader on Friday with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. All games of the series will be streamed live on ESPN+.