Matadors Defeat Golden Bears, 6-3 for Third Consecutive Victory

Thursday, April 16

Northridge, Calif

2:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

12-25, 0

University of California

13-31, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
California	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	8	0
CSUN	0	0	2	0	0	4	X	6	11	1

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

Matadors Defeat Golden Bears, 6-3 for Third Consecutive Victory

4/16/2026 7:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN softball team (12-25, 7-11 Big West) defeated the California Golden Bears, 6-3 at Matador Diamond Thursday afternoon. Isabella Hiner led the way with two RBIs. Vanessa Perez brought in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth. Alizae Cole got her third win of the year. CSUN snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Golden Bears to post its first win over Cal since 1995.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Cal got the scoring started in the top of the first. With two outs, the Golden Bears plated two on base with a single and a walk. Mya McGowan brought the lead runner home with a single to center field to make it 1-0.

It would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the third where CSUN got the momentum back. Madison Okano and Perez began the inning with back-to-back singles. Two batters later, Perseus Yanez doubled to left center, scoring the first run of the day for the Matadors and tying the game at one apiece. After Kylie Kolkowski walked, Savannah Simons got hit by a pitch, forcing in a run to put CSUN ahead 2-1.

In the next half inning, the Golden Bears took the lead once again. A double by Sophia Everett and a home run by Madison Rey put Cal up 3-2.

The 3-2 Golden Bear lead held until the bottom of the sixth inning. Down to their final six outs, the Matadors needed to get some baserunners to keep Cal on its toes.

CSUN's first batter of the sixth, Kolkowski, singled through the left side to spark a rally. She was then bunted over to second on a sacrifice by Simons. After a strikeout, pinch hitter Makenzi Padilla singled to second base, scoring Kolkowski from second base to tie the game at 3-3.

The next batter, Okano singled to put two runners on for Perez. Perez, the sophomore from Temecula, singled through the left side and the lead runner scored, putting the Matadors in front by a score of 4-3. It was Perez's third consecutive game with an RBI and none bigger than that one.

Hiner, who started the game at catcher for the first time in her collegiate career, came up with two runners in scoring position. Hiner, the freshman, promptly singled to right field and brought both runners home, extending the CSUN lead to 6-3. CSUN held a three run lead heading into the top of the seventh, only needing three outs to win.

The freshman, Cole, who came into the game in the fifth inning, put the locks on the Golden Bears, as she retired the side in order to secure the victory.

NOTES OF THE GAME

Okano, Rivas, Perez, and Kolkowski all had two hits in the win.
Cole only gave up two hits and no earned runs in three innings of work.
CSUN only committed one error.
This is the first time Matador Diamond has ever hosted the Golden Bears.
The exact date of CSUN's last win against Cal was February 26, 1995 where CSUN won 3-2 in a neutral site.
This was the largest margin of victory CSUN has ever had against Cal.
CSUN out hit Cal, 11-8.
Perez had two runs scored.

ACCORDING TO INTERIM HEAD COACH JODIE COX
"This win is so exciting. I'm so proud of this program. Cal is in a really good conference, regardless of their season. They play good competition day in and day out, so for us to come out and get this win in a midweek game with some players out sick, and things kind of stacked against us is really exciting. When it comes to Kaitlyn Tso, I was really proud. She missed one pitch, and that's it. I was really proud of how she came out and attacked. Then, there is Alizae Cole. She just has ice in her veins, and the bigger the moment is, the better she gets. [Going into UCSB] We just need to keep it simple and keep building on little wins. We can't focus on what we need to do. It is about focusing on winning each inning, winning each pitch, and getting as many positives and many good things we can. So we just need to stay up. regardless of what happens this weekend, keep grinding, not lose the fight, and just keep being gritty."

UP NEXT
CSUN returns to Big West play to take on UC Santa Barbara. CSUN will play a doubleheader against the Gauchos on Saturday with first pitch of game one set for 1:00 p.m. at Campus Diamond. The series will conclude on Sunday with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. as well.