No. 1 CSM opens postseason run with 12-1 mercy-rule win over Lassen

SAN MATEO -- Selena Gonzales and Ale Phillips each had "perfect" 3-for-3 hitting performances as College of San Mateo began defense of its 3C2A state softball championship with a12-1 run-rule "mercy" win over visiting Lassen College Friday afternoon in a Northern California playoff opener at the College Heights campus.

That extended CSM's two-year playoff winning streak to nine games and 2026 overall record to 38-1. San Mateo will host Lassen (25-15) again on Saturday at 12 noon in the best of three series, with a third game to follow, if necessary.

The state top-ranked Bulldogs quicky got to the 8-run "mercy" margin with two runs in the second inning and six in the third.

Home runs by all-state catcher Love Cabanas, Katie Johnson (a grand slam), and all-state right fielder Gonzales extended the state's top slugging team's season total to 71 round trips.

All-state pitcher Lola Sierra increased her record to 23-1, striking out seven and allowing just three hits in four innings of work.

All-state player of the year Nia Mapa opened the second inning with a walk, advanced on a single by Gonzales and an error, then scored on a Johnson grounder. A Hannah Ames double advanced Gonzales, who then scored the first of her three runs on the day on a Peyton Huber grounder.

Third inning singles by all-state center fielder Ale Phillips, Alyssa Green and Cabanas got that frame's scoring underway, with additional singles by Mapa and Gonzales (an RBI) loading the bases for Johnson's homer.

Cabanas and Gonzales each had 2-RBI homers in the fourth inning.

Johnson had five RBIs on the day, with Cabanas and Gonzales each totaling three.

Winner of this weekend's series advance to the super regionals, May 8-9, which the Bulldogs would host if they are victorious on Saturday.