CSUN Defeats UCR in Big West Opener, 7-6, Second Game Suspended Due to Darkness

Friday, March 6

Northridge, Calif

1:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

5-12, 1-0

UC Riverside

2-13, 0-1

UC Riverside

CSUN

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

CSUN Defeats UCR in Big West Opener, 7-6, Second Game Suspended Due to Darkness

3/6/2026 8:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN softball team (5-12, 1-0 Big West) defeated the UC Riverside Highlanders, 7-6 Friday afternoon, after a sixth inning pinch-hit home run from Ta'Tiannah Wright. UCR was leading the second game of the day, 5-4, before the game was suspended due to darkness in the middle of the fifth inning. Raegan Jackson had a grand slam in game two.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One
UC Riverside jumped on the Matadors early and took a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

The Highlanders started the game with three consecutive singles before CSUN recorded the first out.
After a flyout, Gabriella Garcia singled to center field and brought two runs home in the process.

The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the fourth where CSUN struck back.

With one out, Isabella Hiner singled through the left side. Amber Rivas singled through the left side as well, putting two runners on for Makenzi Padilla. Padilla singled up the middle to load the bases, before Vanessa Perez then came up clutch, doubling to left field to promptly tie the game at two apiece.

After Mackenzie Kila walked, Savannah Simons reached on an error by the right fielder, allowing two runs to score giving the Matadors a 4-2 lead in the fourth.

In the fifth inning, CSUN added one more. After two ground outs, Jackson was hit by a pitch. The senior then advanced to second on a wild pitch. With Jackson's speed, she came around to score once Rivas singled up the middle, her second hit of the day. The RBI from the junior made it a 5-2 game.

UCR took the lead in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Rebeca Cabezas singled to right field, bringing across a run to make it 5-3. Leilani Juan then singled to the shortstop to cut the deficit to one at 5-4.

Pinch hitter Mariana Palazuelos singled to center, plating two runs with the second runner coming home on an error by Jackson as UCR took a a 6-5 lead.

Heading into the bottom of the sixth, CSUN trailed but not for long. Perez walked to begin the inning. After an out, the pinch hitter Wright obliterated a ball over the left field fence, giving CSUN the lead once again at 7-6.

Kaitlyn Tso came into pitch in the second inning and was still on the mound as CSUN needed three outs for the win. The freshman from Arizona did her job, retiring three out of the four batters to come to the plate, and securing the win for the Matadors.

Game Two
In the first inning, seven runs were scored between the two teams.

The Highlanders started off the game with two singles and a three-run home run from Jackie Alday that gave them an early 3-0 lead off starting pitcher Malia Williams.

CSUN wasted no time in the first inning in responding.

The Matadors opened the inning with a Madison Okano single. Perez was then hit by a pitch. The next batter, Hiner, singled to right field, putting three ducks on the pond for Jackson. The senior who leads the team in batting average hit her first home run of the season, a grand slam to put the Matadors on top 4-3.

UCR responded quickly. After two hit-by-pitches, Alizae Cole relieved Williams in the circle. After both runners advanced on a passed ball, Eta Lauti grounded out but the runner on third scored to make it a 4-4 ball game.

The Highlanders added one more in the top of the third to take the lead. A walk and a wild pitch put a runner in scoring position. Trendee Kahunahana singled up the middle and the runner on second scored, making it a 5-4 game in favor of UC Riverside.

It would stay that way until the game was called after four consecutive scoreless half innings.

NOTES OF THE GAME

The grand slam by Jackson was the fifth home run of her career.
Wright's home run in game one came in only her seventh career at-bat.
Tso earned her second career win. She struck out two.
Rivas had two hits and one RBI.
Perez had two RBIs.
CSUN won in the first game at Matador Diamond this season.

UP NEXT
The conclusion of the second game of the doubleheader will begin at 12:00 p.m. The third and final game of the series will commence approximately 30 minutes after the end of the suspended game. Live stats will be available on GoMatadors.com