Softball clinches conference title

After suffering a conference- opening loss to DeAnza College on Feb. 21, CSM softball head coach Nicole Borg said that the team’s only chance to clinch a conference title was to win out and not surrender a conference defeat for the rest of the season.

After Thursday’s 14-0 home win against Chabot (CSM’s 16th consecutive conference victory), the Coast North Title belongs to the Lady Bulldogs.

“It feels great,” said CSM head

coach Nicole Borg , “Definitely looking forward to hosting the first round.”

The blowout win marks CSM’s 20th in a row, a streak in which the average margin of victory for the Lady Bulldogs was over eight runs.`

Freshman pitcher Michelle Pilis- ter tossed three perfect innings and 6 strikeouts before being replaced in the top of the fourth. CSM’s record of 36-3 makes the team the winningest in the state.

The combined relief efforts of Amelia Shales and Ashley Miller resulted in just one hit given up and no runs surrendered. There was only one total baserunner for Chabot all game.

“I’ve been hitting my spots better than in my high school days,” said Pilister. “My offense helps out a lot.”

The game was called after the top of the fifth inning due to the mercy rule after an offensive CSM scored at least four runs in every inning except the second, where they scored two. Leadoff hitter and third baseman Selina Rodriguez lead offensive production going 3-for-4 with three singles, three stolen bases and three runs scored. Jenn Davidson went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI’s.

Despite all of the scoring, CSM only collected three extra base hits, two were doubles by Kaylin Stewart in back-to-back innings. Ohlone College surrendered eight stolen bases by the Bulldogs, including three in the first inning that eventu- ally came around to score.

CSM will face nine-time Coast North champion Ohlone College (25-11, 13-3) at home Tuesday in the regular season finale for the first time since a narrow 1-0 victory over the Renegades in Fremont on April 7. The 1-0 final was the closest victory of CSM’s current 20-game winning streak. CSM will host the First Round region May 5 and 6.