SAN DIEGO - San Diego softball (1-5) notched its first victory of the 2021 campaign in game two against Cal State Fullerton (5-7) on Monday night. The win marks the first for head coach MJ Knighten and the first for a Black female head coach at the University of San Diego.
 
"I am proud of this group of young ladies," said Knighten. "In both games, I saw in everyone's eyes the want to win. Even though they came up just short in the first game, they stayed resilient and trusted the process."
 
GAME 2 | San Diego 1, CSU Fullerton 0
Knighten's first career victory at the helm came off the heels of freshman pitcher McKenna Braegelmann who combined with sophomore Courtney Rose to toss a shutout as San Diego blanked the Titans 1-0.
 
Braegelmann (1-0) started and picked up the win for San Diego, going five shutout innings while giving up two hits, walking one, and striking out four. Rose was dealing out of the bullpen as well, going two shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking none and striking out two.
 
In the batter's box, the Toreros were led by freshman Sophia Delgado, who went 1-for-1 on the day with a triple. Sophomore Clareese Santiago put together a standout performance as well, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.
 
The Toreros took the lead for good in the fifth, scoring for the first and only time in the inning.     Delgado led the scoring effort with a leadoff triple to right before Santiago executed on a blooper RBI single to left to score her from third base.
 
GAME 1 | CSU Fullerton 3, San Diego 1
The Titans beat out San Diego in game one by only a two-run margin as freshman Amanda Limon continued to be the bright spot in San Diego's offense.
 
Limon went 1-for-2 in the ballgame with a double and two walks. Senior Hayley Hensley compiled a noteworthy performance as well, going 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.
 
Junior Madison Earnshaw (0-3) started and took the loss in the circle for San Diego. The right-hander went five innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits, allowing one walk and striking out four. Senior Halle Kyler came out in relief, going two innings, surrendering one run on one hit.
 
The Toreros were trailing 2-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. San Diego got an RBI single up the middle from Hensley, scoring Limon from second base. The Toreros were unable to get any closer, as Cal State Fullerton added one run to their tally on the way to a 3-1 final.
 
Next up for San Diego is a matchup on Friday as a series with UC Santa Barbara begins with double header action at 2 and 4:30 p.m. (PT).