The Chico State softball team won a trio of exciting one-run games against Cal State Dominguez Hills over the weekend, and when the Wildcats made a move to the bullpen, Mari Takeda Bajan stepped into the pitcher’s circle in each contest and delivered a clutch performance. The sophomore righthander figured in every decision, posting two wins and a save to help lead the ’Cats to a crucial three-game series sweep of the 24th-ranked Toros. Takeda Bajan’s relief efforts make her the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Â
In her three appearances, Takeda Bajan allowed just one earned run in a combined eight-and-a-third innings of relief, striking out four and holding the Toros to a .206 batting average, as Chico State improved to 16-15 on the season and 9-9 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play.
Â
In Friday’s series opener, the sophomore righthander earned a save by retiring the final two Dominguez Hills batters to preserve Chico State’s 5-4 victory. Takeda Bajan was credited with both victories in Saturday’s doubleheader sweep of the Toros, and was particularly effective in the nightcap, tossing six-and-a-third innings of relief and holding the Toros scoreless over the final four frames to help the Wildcats record a 4-3 walk-off win in the 11th inning.
Â
Takeda Bajan, who owns a 4-3 won-lost record on the season, currently leads the CCAA with four saves and ranks among the conference’s top 20 hurlers in earned run average (2.77) and opponent batting average (.252).
Â
Takeda Bajan and the Wildcats are in Rohnert Park this Saturday for a four-game series against CCAA-leading Sonoma State.
Â