CSUN Splits Saturday, Takes Series Against UC Riverside

Friday, March 6

Northridge, Calif

3:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

6-12, 2-0

UC Riverside

2-14, 0-2

UC Riverside

CSUN

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

CSUN Splits Saturday, Takes Series Against UC Riverside

3/7/2026 6:32:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN softball team (6-13, 2-1 Big West) won the conclusion of yesterday's suspended game against UC Riverside, 8-5 before dropping the last game of the series, 8-7, Saturday afternoon at Matador Diamond. Raegan Jackson went 2-3 with five RBIs in game two of the series. CSUN scored four runs over the final two innings to earn the win.

Vanessa Perez and Madison Okano both led the way with two RBIs in the series finale.

HOW IT HAPPENED
CONTINUATION OF GAME TWO
CSUN was down by a run entering the bottom of the fifth. Isabella Hiner singled to left field to lead off the inning. Jackson walked to put two runners on for pinch hitter Ta'Tiannah Wright. Wright picked up from where she left off yesterday, singling through the left side as the lead runner from second scored tying the game at five.

Savannah Simons then singled to center field and Jackson scored to give the Matadors the lead at 6-5.

After a scoreless top of the sixth for the Highlanders, CSUN entered the bottom half of the inning looking to add some insurance.

After a single, Perez reached on a throwing error which put two runners in scoring position. Hiner walked, bringing up Jackson to the plate with bases loaded.

Jackson drove in her fifth run of the game when she singled to left to make it a 7-5 game. The Matadors added one more on an RBI groundout, taking a three run lead into the top of the seventh.

Freshman Alizae Cole who entered the game into the top of the second, needed three outs to pick up the win. She retired the side in order to give the Matadors the first two wins of the series.

GAME THREE
After a scoreless first inning from both teams, UCR took the lead in the top of the second. After a one out double, Gabriella Garcia homered to left field to make it a 2-0 game in favor of the Highlanders.

In the third, UC Riverside added two more runs. With one out, third baseman Rebeca Cabezas walked. The next batter, Leilani Juan followed with a home run to left field to make it 4-0.

CSUN answered UCR's rally with three runs of its own in the bottom of the third. After Madison Okano was hit by a pitch, Perez tripled over the centerfielder's head, scoring the lead runner and thus putting a run on the board for the Matadors.

The next batter, Hiner singled to centerfield, scoring the runner from third. After Ta'Tiannah Wright reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, Makenzi Padilla singled to right field to make it 4-3.

The score remained 4-3 until the top of the sixth. Eta Lauti hit a two-run home run to push the Highlander lead back to three at 6-3.

CSUN wasn't done fighting, as the Matadors responded in the next half inning with three runs of their own to tie the game at six. After a hit by pitch, Amber Rivas doubled to left field to put two runners in scoring position. Okano singled to third base and the lead runner scored to make it 6-4. The next batter Perez promptly singled up the middle, scoring Rivas to pull CSUN within one. The Matadors would tie it when Okano scored on a wild pitch.

In the top of the seventh, UCR capitalized on a pair of CSUN walks. Two hitters walked with the bases loaded to put the visitors up 8-6.

Down by two runs with three outs left, CSUN opened the bottom of the seventh with consecutive singles. Both runners moved up on a flyball out. Okano grounded out to the shortstop to cut the lead to 8-7, but Perez grounded out to end the game.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN has won the opening Big West series in the last two seasons.
Cole won her first collegiate game by pitching a career high six innings.
Jackson stole two bases, giving her a team-high 10 on the season.
Perez hit the second Matador triple this season.
With two RBIs in game three, Okano now leads the team with 11.

ACCORDING TO INTERIM HEAD COACH JODIE COX
"I love the fight in us. We were able to pass the bat and get a lot of rallies going. You can't teach fight and grit. It's hard to win a series in the Big West, so starting the year off with a series win feels really good. Winning is contagious, and having 17 of our players being new to the team, we hope that winning is just going to carry the momentum heading into next week."

UP NEXT
CSUN continues Big West play with a road trip to Cal State Bakersfield on March 13-14. The series begins with a doubleheader on March 13 with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m.