Folks were initially taken aback when the Cal State San Marcos baseball and softball coaches seriously considered the idea of Jillian Albayati playing for both teams. However, the coaches, Jose Garcia and Stef Ewing, were not joking. When the Cougars baseball team found themselves short-handed and in need of a pitcher, Albayati stepped up to the plate.
Albayati, a reliable right-handed pitcher in baseball and a third baseman in softball, was confident in her abilities to contribute to both teams. She made history by becoming the second player in collegiate history and the first in Division II to play in formal baseball and softball games on the same day. Albayati pitched the final inning in the opener of a doubleheader against Sonoma State, showcasing her versatility and skill.
