LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Cal State Monterey Bay softball team let a couple of solid pitching performances go for naught Friday in a pair of losses at the opening day of the 2016 Desert Stinger Tournament at Majestic Park. The Otters fell 3–1 to Western New Mexico in their opener and 7–3 to Central Washington in their second game.

Senior Lindsey Clarkson (Fresno/Central HS) was on her game in the afternoon contest against WNMU. Clarkson fanned eight and allowed just three hits over six innings. But three Otters errors led to three unearned runs in the sixth inning.

Freshman tori Pierucci (San Mateo/Hillsdale HS) was sharp early in the nightcap. But three more Otter errors—combined with some poor decision making in the field—sabotaged a 3–1 lead as Central rallied with six unanswered runs in the come-from-behind win.

The normally potent Otter offense continued to search for its groove as well. CSUMB managed just a single run on an Alyssa D'Agostino ground out in the opener. After a Chase Robledo pinch–hit RBI double opened the Otter ledger versus Central, CSUMB managed just two more runs, with both coming on the same play when savvy base running allowed Anneliese Lopez and Bianca Noriega scored on the same ground ball out.

Lopez (3-for-5) and Noriega (3-for-7) were the only Otters to hit safely in both games Friday. Robledo's double was CSUMB's only extra base hit.

The Otters will look to get back on track when they play The University of Mary at 2 p.m. and Montana State Billings at 7 p.m. on Day 2 of the Desert Stinger Classic Saturday at Majestic Park.