2025

Celebrating the Heart, Grit, and Legacy of the 2025 CSM Bulldogs Softball Team

Written on July 31st, 2025 by Mila Yoch

 

This season, the College of San Mateo (CSM) Bulldogs Softball Team didn’t just win—they built a legacy for students across the San Mateo County Community College District. 

With a 43-3 record and a thrilling 16-game winning streak, the team’s journey was defined not only by victories but by a culture of respect, resilience, and unity that fueled their success. 

“It was the little moments,” said Noemi Elena Livingston, the team’s standout pitcher and All-Tournament MVP. “Looking into the dugout after someone hit a home run or a clutch single—everyone was up, screaming, celebrating. It was like, ‘She did that for us.’ And the next person would step up because we all believed in each other.” 

Livingston pitched all five games of the State Championship and played a crucial role in leading her team to the title. Despite the pressure to perform, she remained unflappable, thanks to the unwavering support from her teammates, even those who didn’t play.  

“Even the pitchers who didn’t get on the mound were like, ‘Anything you need, I got you.’ That meant everything. We all had a role, and we respected that.”  

Under the leadership of head coach and CSM alumna Nicole Quigley-Borg, the Bulldogs made history by clinching their second state championship title, following their first win in 2022. 

Their season was decorated with highlights, including an exciting eighth-inning walk-off victory over Orange Coast College and a dramatic come-from-behind 7-4 win over Palomar in the final. 

That spirit of mutual respect runs deep at CSM. The coaching staff—recently named the NFCA California JC National Coaching Staff of the Year—fosters a culture where players are treated like professionals.  

“They don’t talk down to us,” Livingston said. “They push us because they know we can do it. They listen. They adapt. They treat us like adults.”  

The Bulldogs’ commitment begins long before the season begins, with summer practices held four days a week for six weeks.  

“Not many programs do that,” Livingston said. “It was a signal: we’re serious, and we’re ready.”  

That readiness paid off. Nine student-athletes earned eight major awards, including the Rawlings Gold Glove, All-State, NFCA All-American, and All-Tournament honors. Livingston herself was recognized as Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and 3CFCA State Pitcher of the Week. 

Their excellence extended beyond the diamond. Off the field, the team maintained a 3.31 GPA, underscoring their commitment to academic success. 

Now, the Bulldogs have one final goal: to commemorate this extraordinary season with championship rings. These rings are more than jewelry—they symbolize the blood, sweat, and tears poured into every practice, game, and moment of growth.   

“We deserve that ring,” Livingston said. “It’s a reminder of how far we came, how hard we worked, and how much heart we gave.”