In a season-ending series that determined the Chico State softball team’s postseason fate, the Wildcats had to rack up wins on the road—something that was a bit of a rarity during the 2023 campaign. The ’Cats rose to the challenge, and it was Tayler Berens who wielded the Wildcats’ most productive bat in Hayward as Chico State took three out of four from Cal State East Bay to capture the sixth and final California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament berth. Her clutch contributions on offense make Berens the latest Wildcat of the Week.
All told, Berens batted a hefty .538 (7-for-13) in the four-game set, scoring six runs while posting a .769 slugging percentage and .647 on-base percentage to help the Wildcats win five of their last contests to keep their 2023 season alive.
In game one of Friday’s series-opening doubleheader, Berens went 2-for-3, reaching base three times and scoring a run in the Wildcats’ 3-2 win over East Bay. In Saturday’s critical twin bill, she knocked in a run and scored twice as Chico State topped the Pioneers 6-2 in game one, then finished with a flourish with a 4-for-5 performance in the nightcap, ripping two extra-base hits and scoring three runs in the ’Cats’ convincing 11-4 victory.
Berens heads into postseason play tied for the team lead in batting average (.331), and leads the Wildcats in runs batted in (20), slugging percentage (.430), and on-base percentage (.420).
Berens and the Wildcats will open the CCAA Tournament Wednesday, taking on No. 3 seed Cal State San Marcos. The winner of the four-day conference tournament will automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship Tournament.
