SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay got a pair of strong pitching performances but couldn't get the win it needed to stay alive in the CCAA tournament race as No. 22 UC San Diego swept a doubleheader, 2–1 and 3–0, Saturday at the Otter Sports Complex.

CSUMB (16–9 CCAA) can finish no higher than fifth place in the CCAA standings. UCSD (23–13) needs either one win against Cal State Dominguez Hills or one San Francisco State loss in five games next week to clinch a spot in the 4–team CCAA field.

The Otters received a pair of outstanding pitching performances Saturday. Freshman Morgan Hawkins (Folsom/Vista del lago Academy) tossed a 3–hitter in Game 1 and sophomore Hayley Fein (Sparks, Nev./Spanish Springs HS) scattered three hits in six shutout innings to open Game 2.

In both case, however UCSD freshman Robyn Wampler was just a tiny bit better. Wampler also tossed a 3–hitter in the opener, allowing just one run to earn the win. In the nightcap, she allowed just two hits en route to her second shutout of the series.

UCSD used a pair of walks, a ground ball single and a sac fly in the first inning to score both of its runs in Game 1. The Otters pulled one run back in the second, but stranded 10 runners—twice leaving the bases loaded without scoring—to waste the best effort of Hawkins' young career.

Both pitchers were dominant in Game 2 before a tough call went against the Otters to turn the tide. After Maddy Lewis led of the seventh with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice, the Tritons attempted to squeeze her home. The Otters defended it perfectly and appeared to tag her out, but obstruction was called as Lewis slid around the tag, allowing the run to score.

The Tritons added a pair when a 2–out pop to shot was lost in the sun.

Julia Garcia (Oxnard HS/Ventura College) drew a 1–out walk in the seventh, but now down three, CSUMB was never able to bring the tying run to the plate.

The Otters return to action Wednesday when they play the conclusion of a halted game with San Francisco State from Mar. 4. The Otters will come to bat in the bottom of the seventh of a game tied at 7–7.

CSUMB closes its 2018 schedule with a 4–game set against Stanislaus State Apr. 27–28 at the Otter Sports Complex. The Apr. 2 game will be Senior Day and the final collegiate games for Garcia as well as fellow seniors Joanna Perruccio and Jayme Stark.