FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team was named back-to-back Big West Regular-Season Champions before defeating Cal State Bakersfield in a 9-1 run-rule on Friday night. The Titans earned their 35th win of the seaon and 20th win in conference play. 

Gina Oaks Garcia celebrated her first Big West regular-season title in her first season as head coach of Titans Softball, after UC Santa Barbara fell to CSUN in their series opener on Friday afternoon. This marked the 20th overall conference title for the program, while being the 13th as a member of The Big West. 
 

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The Big West regular-season title stays in Fullerton for the second consecutive year!

The Titans clinch the No. 1 seed for the inaugural Big West Softball Championship next week at Anderson Family Field (May 7-10).#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/QZyu6wrVhx

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 2, 2025

Nataly Lozano (1-for-2, RBI) got the Titans on the board in the first inning with an RBI single through the left side. Kristralyn Romulo (1-for-3, 2 R, SB) scored after reaching first on a single to third base. 

The Titans plated two runs in the bottom of the second inning on three hits by Maggie Paulovich (2-for-3, 2R, SB), Sarah Perez (2-for-3, RBI, 2 R) and Ava Arce for a 3-0 lead. Arce recorded her 55th RBI of the season, landing five RBI away from breaking Jenny Topping's all-time record for most RBI in a single season (59, 2001).  

Four defensive errors in the bottom of the third inning by Bakerfield allowed the Titans to plate six runs off three hits for a 9-0 lead. Sarah Coccillos plated the first of the third inning with a solo home run to left field, recording her third long ball of the season. 
 

To the Scoreboard ??#TusksUp | Sarah Coccillos pic.twitter.com/s6eoLA8k2j

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) May 3, 2025

 

Bakersfield's Maalia Cherry took the shutout opportunity away from the Titans with a solo home run to right-center field in the top of the fourth. Trisha McCleskey earned her 15th win of the season after pitching five complete innings. Through five frames, McCleskey held the Roadrunners to one run off six hits, while striking out four hitters. 

The Titans and Roadrunners return to Anderson Family Field on Saturday for their annual Senior Day Celebration. The series will conclude with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. The senior celebration will follow the final out of Game Two. 

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