In a game of immense importance, CSUN staged a comeback in their final home game of the season on senior night, securing a significant victory over the Tritons of UC San Diego. The game, which kicked off on Saturday afternoon, saw the Matadors (24-24, 8-16 Big West) aiming to complete their series sweep against the Tritons (16-32, 9-14 Big West), following their dominant performances in the previous two games, which CSUN won 10-2 and 7-0.

The game started rough for the Matadors as they looked dead in the water, watching from the dugout. The game began with UC San Diego taking an early 6-0 lead in the third inning, demonstrating their offensive prowess against CSUN’s weak defense early on. However, the Matadors, showing their true grit and determination, refused to go down and outscored the Tritons 9-1 from the bottom of the third on to escape with a 9-7 win, clinching the series sweep over UC San Diego.

“It was a great team win,” said head coach Charlotte Morgan. “We executed really well and did a great job rallying from behind.”

Carys Murakami ignited CSUN’s offense with a single, followed by Lulu Sanchez’s triple, which brought in Murakami and scored the team’s first run. Mikayla Carman would then hit a single down the middle of the field, which brought Sanchez across, and Mia Cortez’s hit to center field brought Carman home, narrowing the deficit to 6-3.

The momentum carried into the fourth inning when CSUN’s offense detonated. In her final home game for the Matadors, Shaylan Whatman hit a single up the middle, bringing in Jadyn Nielsen. Carman’s ensuing double down the left-field line allowed Whatman and Murakami to score and tie the game, 6-6.

Enormous credit goes to pitcher Alexa Ortiz, who played a huge role in stopping the Tritons from responding in the fourth inning after CSUN tied the game. Ortiz, with her exceptional pitching skills, silenced the Triton batters, forcing three straight groundouts in crucial moments in the fourth to keep the game tied.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, CSUN claimed the lead for the first time when Murakami singled, and Kaylee Escutia ran from third to score.

However, UC San Diego tied the game in the sixth inning, knotting it at 7-7.

CSUN didn’t quit as in the bottom of the sixth, Alexis Chavez’s clutch single brought in Carman and Whatman to propel the Matadors to a commanding 9-7 lead.

Pitcher Isabella Alonso would close out precisely for the Matadors in the final two innings, allowing zero runs and hits to secure the victory for CSUN.

It was a remarkable team win for CSUN, as they also celebrated senior infielder Whatman’s final home game with an impressive comeback win. Whatman was celebrated with a framed poster board that contained her jersey and two photos of her in action.

The Matadors will end their season traveling to UC Santa Barbara (18-27, 12-12 Big West) for a three-game season series starting Friday, May 10, at noon. They will look to carry their momentum against the Gauchos and finish the season strong.

“It was a good way to leave our home series with a win,” Morgan said.