CSM open playoffs with wins

Both will continue Saturday in the best-of-three series. First pitch for baseball is 11 a.m., while softball starts at noon. An if-necessary third game will follow Saturday if CSM loses the first game.

While it looked like the softball team cruised, CSM did not put the Falcons away until late. Leading 3-0, the Bulldogs scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to give themselves some breathing room.

Ally Sarabia had the hit that broke the game open, mashing a two-run homer in the sixth. Riley Donovan added a two-run double, while Amanda Ubois-Weitenhagen drove in a run with her own double.

Bella Zalba and Kaitlyn Grech had multiple hits for the Bulldogs. Zalba led the way with three knocks, while Grech added a pair.

Emily McAdams improved to 27-1 in the circle this season with a complete-game effort. Solano scratched out its only run in the top of the seventh as McAdams scattered six hits while striking out 11.

The CSM baseball team held Sierra scoreless until the top of the ninth. The Wolverines had one last gasp, scoring all their runs in their final at-bat before CSM’s Carlo Lopiccolo nailed down the save by getting the final out.

Sophomore pitcher Sean Prozell got the start, allowing one run on just three hits with six strikeouts as he worked into the ninth inning. Brett Karalius, who had broken into the starting rotation with a trio of outstanding starts, stumbled in relief of Prozell, allowing two runs on two hits as he retired just one batter.

Offensively, the Bulldogs scored single runs in the fourth and sixth inning, and scored what turned out to be the game-winning runs with two in the bottom of the seventh.

Shortstop Alec Ackerman did the bulk of the damage for CSM, driving in three runs while going 2 for 4 from the plate with a double and a triple. Danny Carnazzo picked up the Bulldogs’ other RBI.

Leadoff hitter Christian Ontai set the table for CSM, finishing with three hits. Justin Torres and Ackerman each had a pair of hits in the win.