CSUN softball began Big West play, defeating UC Riverside in an energized doubleheader home opener on Friday and Saturday afternoon at the Matador Diamond. The Matadors won the first game 7-6. The second game was suspended Friday night at the bottom of the fifth, and picked up Saturday at noon, where CSUN won 8-5.

Game 1

UCR opened the game with two runs in the top of the first inning. The Matadors went scoreless for the first three innings until bases were loaded at the bottom of the fourth.

Infielder Vanessa Perez put CSUN on the scoreboard with a double, tying the game 2-2.

The momentum continued with back-to-back bases loaded. Infielder Savannah Simons’s hit led to an error, which helped CSUN have its first lead of the game at 4-2. CSUN continued leading after scoring at the bottom of the fifth.

Though they remained scoreless in four consecutive innings, UCR took a 6-5 lead after scoring four runs at the top of the sixth inning.

As the game came to a close with fans waiting to see who would be victorious, outfielder Ta’Tiannah Wright came on as a pinch hitter and collected her first hit of the day with a home run. This put CSUN back on top, 7-6 at the bottom of the 6th.

Matador pitcher Kaitlyn Tso had been pitching since the top of the second and was able to close out the game for the win.

Coming off a three-game losing streak, this was an essential win for CSUN. Head coach Jodie Cox said the team must keep this momentum for the next game.

“In that first game, we got punched first, and I like that we just keep coming back and fighting and that’s all we can do,” Cox said. “Our game, the game of softball, so many runs on both sides. It’s always that way. … We’re just going to keep fighting and we just need to score one more run at the end of the day.”

Game 2

The conclusion of the doubleheader began with UCR striking at the top of the first, scoring three runs. CSUN returned the favor at the bottom of the first when outfielder Raegan Jackson hit a grand slam, electrifying the crowd and putting CSUN on top 4-3.

Jackson spoke about how it felt to hit a grand slam to start the game.

“I feel great, you know, as a senior, it’s nice to be able to just have my team trust me. I mean, at the end of the day, we just piece together, get at bats and what better way than a grand slam,” Jackson said.

UCR had two runs come in during the second and third innings, while CSUN remained scoreless for both innings and additionally in the fourth. The game continued Saturday morning.

With CSUN down 5-4, Wright helped even the score with a single, bringing the score tied up at 5-5. Simons brought CSUN back on top with an RBI to take the lead 6-5.

The momentum continued for the Matadors as they cleared the top of the sixth quickly and prevented a base from being stolen by UCR. Jackson, who was having a stellar game of RBIs, collected her fifth of the game to extend the lead 7-5 at the bottom of the sixth.

CSUN outfielder Amber Rivas had a pair of RBI’s this past weekend and finished off the game with one, closing out the doubleheader series and bringing the final score to 8-5.

Rivas spoke on what it was like being back home after a long time on the road this season.

“So exciting and not having the stress of packing and everything. I could just focus on the game, worry about that and come up with a win,” Rivas said.

CSUN played the third game of the series against UCR on Saturday afternoon and lost 8-7. After the first weekend of conference play, the Matadors hold a 2-1 (6-13 overall) record.

The Matadors continue Big West play and will head back on the road to play Cal State Bakersfield next Friday in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.