SAN MARCOS, Calif. — The No. 3 NFCA-ranked Cal State San Marcos Cougars closed Senior Day in style, sweeping Cal Poly Humboldt and rolling to a 10–2 nightcap that completed a four-game series sweep and kept the Cougars perfect at home this regular season. The doubleheader began with a 4–1 win in Game 1 and finished with a hot Game 2 that ended after six innings.
The program honored seniors Jillian Albayati, Jordan Elias, Czar Fleischman and Jordan Hill, and the celebration felt earned. CSUSM improved to 42–5 overall and 24–4 in California Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) play, and the Cougars finished the regular season 20–0 at home, a milestone in the program’s NCAA Division II era. Coach A.J. Robinson made the point plain: this is a team built to do big things.
Some of the gifts CSUM gave to their seniors.
“You know, it's a lot of work, and it's very difficult to win all four games in a series. So when you do that, it's a big accomplishment. And to do it on Senior weekend makes it even more special. We're really close to closing out a conference championship. … I'm so happy for the seniors to have this much success on their weekend. We're in a good spot, so I'm really happy.” — Coach A.J. Robinson
After three scoreless frames, the Cougars exploded in the fourth inning, turning a quiet game into a rout with a six-run outburst that set the tone for the night.
Bottom of the Fourth: CSUSM 6, Humboldt 0
Zoe Karam reached base and later scored on a wild pitch to open the scoring. Angelina Rodriguez ripped a two-RBI single that drove in two and put the pressure on Humboldt. Kaila Siu followed with an RBI single. Defensive miscues by Humboldt helped the inning balloon as CSUSM pushed across six runs on four hits, including two unearned tallies that made it a runaway frame.
Fifth Inning: CSUSM 7, Humboldt 0
CSUSM added another run when Lauren DePlitch singled home a run, extending the lead and keeping the pressure on the visitors.
Bottom of the Sixth: Karam’s big swing seals it
Humboldt scored two runs at the top of the sixth, but the Cougars answered immediately. Karam launched a two-run homer to center, turning a tense moment into a celebration and pushing the score to 9–2. DePlitch later added an RBI single to make it 10–2, and the run-rule mercifully ended the game after six innings. With Karam’s homer, she leads the team with 13 home runs this season, and moves into the top spot in the CCAA.
“We know we're a good team and we love playing together. And it just kind of comes down to how bad we want it. And we know we want it really, really bad. And so we build off that every game, every practice. We know we're one of the best teams in the country, and we get to practice and play together as the best team in the country, so we just have a lot of fun doing it.”
This is not just a hot streak. The Cougars sit at NFCA No. 3 in the country in Division II, and the stat lines back it up: power from Karam, timely hitting from DePlitch and Rodriguez, and steady pitching from Madison Cabrera and the staff. The Cougars have shown they can do everything: long ball, small ball, speed, and shutdown pitching, and they did it in front of packed stands on Senior Day. This team is good not just because of their skill. They also believe in each other and the program at CSUSM. Post game, the athletes were in high spirits.
“It was a great team win today. You know everybody contributed to both games. It was awesome. We always find a way to figure it out. And once one gets going, the rest of the team follows just like that every game.” — Jillian Albayati
“I feel good. Just want to do whatever I can for the team. Just keep passing the baton. Taking it slow. I wouldn't have rather gone anywhere else. I love it here. It's just nice to be in a winning program this year.” — Czar Fleischman
Madison Cabrera picthing.
Robinson framed the bigger picture. The goal remains a national championship, and every detail matters between now and postseason play.
This team is built for big moments and for the postseason run. If you want to see softball at its best, come to CSUSM Softball Field. Bring friends, bring family, bring noise. The Cougars are playing like one of the nation’s elite teams and they’re doing it at home where they’ve been unbeatable this season. As Robinson said, “It's so much fun for this team to be able to play in front of their family and friends.”
Come be part of that energy.
“We're going to continue to work every day to get a little better and everything. Our goal is to win the national championship.”
Next Up
Tues., Apr. 21 | 3 pm. | CSUSM @ Concordia University | Irvine, Calif.
