SEASIDE, Calif. — In many ways the Cal State Monterey Bay softball team out-played visiting Cal State San Bernardino Saturday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex. But in the only measure that mattered—the final score—San Bernardino got the better of the Otters to sweep a doubleheader 5–3 and 8–6.

CSUMB (20–18, 10–15 CCAA) collected more hits (21 vs. 12) and made fewer errors (1 vs. 5) but couldn't translate those advantages to the win column as the Coyotes found disparate ways to victory in each game.

In the opener, Otter starter Bianca Noriega (Camarillo HS) tossed a 4–hitter while striking out eight Coyotes. But three of those four hits were homers, accounting for all five San Bernardino runs.

The Otters overcame the first two Coyote long balls, rallying from a 3–0 deficit to tie the game on a 2–run single by Courtney Hennings (Pleasanton/Amador Valley HS) in the fifth. But UNLV transfer Amanda Herrera followed Jessica Angulo's leadoff single in the sixth with her second home run of the game to plate the winning runs.

The Otters used the long ball to take their only lead of the afternoon early in Game 2. Hennings did the honors, slicing her team–leading fifth homer of the season inside the right field foul pole to put CSUMB on top 2–0 in the second.

But a pair of walks to start the third opened the floodgates on a 7–run San Bernardino outburst, the biggest inning by an Otter opponent this season. The Coyotes would manage just one hit over the final four innings, but the damage was done. A pinch-hit double by Alyssa D'Agostino (Chino Hills/Ayala HS) and a 2-run single from Marielle Valdez (Atwater HS) got the Otters close before time ran out on the comeback.

Courtney Varela (Torrance HS) finished the doubleheader with five hits and two stolen bases to lead the Otter offense. Hennings went 4-for-7, including three hits in the opener.

Noriega (3-for-7), Stark (2-for-6) and Chase Robledo (Camarillo HS) (2-for-7) also hit safely in both games for the Otters. Both of Robledo's hits were doubles.

The Otters and Coyotes will finish their 4–game series with a doubleheader Sunday at the Otter Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.