HAYWARD, Calif. – Continuing a theme for the entire week, the Concordia Golden Eagles and the host Cal State East Bay Pioneers were destined for another one-run contest as they went toe-to-toe in the first elimination game of the NCAA DII West Regional.
This was the fourth straight one-run game that came down to the last inning. It also happened to be the highest scoring game of the first two days.
Cal State East Bay jumped in front in the first inning with three runs crossing the plate before Concordia came up to bat.
But the Golden Eagles responded in a big way – and they did so right away. CUI loaded the bases with nobody out and got their first run across the plate when PacWest Newcomer of the Year
Morgan Kneubuhler was hit by a pitch. With CUI down 3-1 a few pitches later,
Caitlynn Campbell cranked a grand slam to the bleachers in left to swing momentum and give the Green and Gold a 5-3 lead.
In the second inning, First Team All-PacWest third baseman
Audrey Robles cranked a two-run home over the fence. That extended the lead for Concordia to 7-3.
Freshman pitcher
Paetynn Snobar came on in relief to help keep CUI in the game. The right-hander wound up tossing 3.2 innings and only allowed two solo home runs during that span.
The two teams combined for five home runs on the day.
Later in the game, East Bay tied the contest at 7-7 with a two-run homer by Sarissa Block in the sixth. The Pioneers took an 8-7 lead before the third out of the frame after a hit down the left field line.
In the bottom of the seventh, CUI was able to get the potential tying run in scoring position.
Caitlynn Campbell reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second base. With two outs, designated player
Serena Velez singled to right field and Campbell sprinted home but unfortunately the throw just beat her before she touched home plate for the final out.
CLICK HERE for the updated East Bay Regional Bracket
CLICK HERE for the full NCAA DII Softball Bracket
Concordia ends the 2026 season with an overall record of 43-17 after finishing the regular season in first place in the PacWest standings. The Golden Eagles made the NCAA DII Regional for the eighth straight time and have now won
four consecutive PacWest Conference Tournaments to claim the automatic bid for the league. CUI has also won seven PacWest regular season titles in the past ten years.
CLICK HERE for Postgame Interviews With CUI's Campbell, Im and Coach Rosenthal
BEST IN THE REGION
Also on Friday, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its All-Region Softball honorees and two Golden Eagles were listed among the best in the west.
Catcher
Morgan Kneubuhler was named First Team All-Region after leading both Concordia and the entire PacWest in home runs this season. Kneubuhler is one of only a dozen DII softball players in the nation that have hit 17 or more homers in 2026. She also led CUI with 58 RBI and hit .400 during the regular season.
Kneubuhler has caught the majority of games by
Kacie Gossett and the sophomore pitcher was also named Second Team All-Region by the NFCA. Gossett led CUI in wins (15), complete games (14), innings pitched (146.0) and strikeouts (97).
CLICK HERE for the full CUI softball schedule
