SEASIDE, Calif. — The Dominican University of California softball team dropped its season-opening doubleheader to Cal State Monterey Bay, 11-0 in five innings in game one and 6-4 in game two.

Dominican (0-2) started game one with the bases loaded but CSUMB (2-0) starter Lindsey Clarkson worked out of a 2-0 count for the strike out to get out of trouble. Dominican errors would play a key part throughout the game. The No. 25-ranked Otters, who are picked to finish third in the 11-team CCAA and received four first-place votes in the preseason coaches poll, took advantage. Two infield errors led to a four-run Otters fourth. Another error extended and a second innning that resulted in six more runs. The Otters tacked on one more run, also unearned, in the fourth on an RBI single. The Otters plated 11 runs despite recording just five hits. Freshman Karitza Reyes went 1-for-2 with a walk in her college debut. Senior tori Johnson added the Penguins' other hit in game one. Clarkson tossed four scoreless innings for the win for the Otters while Kelsey Goodner took the loss for Dominican in an inning and a third of work, though just two of the 10 runs given up were earned. Angelina Lombardi allowed one unearned run over the remaining two and two thirds innnigs.

In game two, Annelise Lopez homered in the bottom of the first to give the Otters another early lead. In the top of the second, freshman Keely Bowlan singled through the left side, which plated fellow freshman Emily Ginn to tie the game. The Penguins conceded a run on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the second but Dominican rallied back yet again in the third. Katelyn Harden doubled, Catlyn Cavender singled, and Ginn walked to load the bases. Haley Cheek drew another walk to tie the game, then Chinchilla singled home Cavender to take the Penguins' first lead of the day. Ginn scored on a throwing error to make it 4-2. The lead held until the bottom of the fifth, when trailing 4-3, Madison Casto doubled home a pair to give the Otters a 5-4 lead. Lopez added an insurance run in the sixth. Harden took a complete-game loss in game two. Tori Pierucci, who threw in relief in game one, earned the win in relief in game two with four and a third innings of shutout softball. CSUMB starter Bianca Noriega, who allowed all four Penguins runs – three of which were unearned, took a no decision. Johnson and Chinchilla had two hits apiece in game two as the Penguins outhit the Otters 8-6.

Dominican hosts its home opener on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 12 and 2 p.m. The Penguins will face non-conference opponent Cal State East Bay at Penguin Field. Live stats will be available at dominicanathletics.com/live with live audio provided by Penguin Radio and the student broadcasters at radio.dominican.edu.