After securing their first conference win last weekend against Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Poly softball carried that momentum into Saturday’s series opener against UC Riverside.
Traveling on the road to face off against the Highlanders (18-23, 9-9 Big West), the Mustangs (8-30, 3-15 Big West) earned a 5-1 win to start the series. With key hits with runners in scoring position, the team was able to capitalize on RBI opportunities to take an early lead and eventually secure the win.
However, Cal Poly dropped the final two games in the series and is sitting at just three conference wins on the season. With three series’ left in a season that tested a roster filled with new faces and first-year contributors, the team is looking to end the year strong.
This season, Cal Poly has found itself amid one of the most challenging stretches in program history. The Mustangs, who have traditionally been competitive in the Big West, have struggled to find their rhythm amid roster turnover and a wave of inexperience.
At the start of the season, Head Coach Jenny Condon anticipated it would be a year of rebuilding—adjusting to a new roster after the departure of key veterans and leaning on a young core to step into bigger roles.
Freshman infielder Sienna Erskine is among those rising to the challenge. A former standout at Ocean View High School, Erskine has seen increased playing time in recent weeks and continues to show flashes of promise at the plate.
In Sunday’s loss to UC Riverside, Erskine was the lone Mustang to cross the plate. Her development, alongside others in the underclassman group, is part of the long-term vision for the program.
Earlier this season, Condon emphasized that the more reps Erskine gets, the more confident she becomes—and that growth has been evident. As the season has progressed, Erskine has steadily emerged as one of the more reliable contributors in the lineup, showing consistency at bat and defense.
Her .287 batting average and team-leading nine sacrifice hits highlight ability to generate contact and her willingness to play situational softball, traits that have made her a valuable piece of the Mustangs’ rebuilding core.
With only a handful of games remaining, Cal Poly will look to close out the season by continuing to develop its young roster while leaning on veteran experience from leaders like catcher Julia Barnett.
The Mustangs return home to Bob Janssen Field this weekend to host UC San Diego, with the first game starting at 3 p.m. on Friday.
