No. 2 CSM sweeps Merced to advance to Round 2 of NorCal Regionals

SAN MATEO – No. 2 seeded College of San Mateo is one step closer to returning to the state championships after sweeping a pair of games from No. 15 Merced College in the opening round of the Northern California Regional Playoffs.

The Bulldogs opened the best-two-of-three-game series at home against Merced on Thursday with an 11-3 win in six innings and secured their spot in Round 2 with a 9-0 victory on Friday.

Game 1: San Mateo 11, Merced 3 (6 innings)
Sophomore Ari Williams went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBI to help lead CSM to the mercy-rule win in the series opener.

The Bulldogs banged out 14 hits in the contest, as Vanessa Lang (3 for 4, 2B, RBI), Luda Gumataotao (3 for 4, 2B), and Izzy Cowne (3 for 4, 2B, 3 RBI) all led CSM with three hits each.

CSM put up three runs in the bottom of the first, got two runs on Williams' home run in the second, and added two more in the third to take a commanding 7-0 lead.

Kennedie Magorian picked up the complete-game win. She struck out seven batters over six innings and allowed three runs and three hits.

Game 2: San Mateo 9, Merced 0
CSM was the designated visiting team despite playing at home for second game of the series and continued the offensive show. The Bulldogs put up another 11 hits in Game 2, led by two hits each from Williams (2 for 4, 2B, RBI) and Cowne (2 for 3, 2B, RBI).

Seven different Bulldogs drove in runs while Siona Halwani (5 innings) and Nohemi Livingston (2 innings) combined for the shutout in the circle. Halwani picked up the win while striking out three and giving up just four hits. Livingston tossed a pair of perfect innings, striking out two batters.

With the wins, CSM improved to 35-5 overall. The Bulldogs will wait to find out their next opponent for a second-round series of the Northern California Regional Playoffs that is set for May 10-12 at home.