The Chico State softball team was in postseason contention right up to the last game on the last day of the regular season. And though the Wildcats came up short of reaching the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and NCAA Championship Tournaments, Kelli Keefe’s performance against UC San Diego was emblematic of the ’Cats never-say-die intensity during the 2013 season. The sophomore shortstop enjoyed a very productive weekend at the plate versus the Tritons, earning Keefe the latest Wildcat of the Week award.
Keefe batted an impressive .417 in Chico State’s four games against UC San Diego, knocking out five hits in 12 at-bats, reaching base seven times and driving in three runs.
The Columbia native went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Friday’s series opener versus UC San Diego, then in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader Keefe collected three hits – matching her single-game high this season – including a two-run double as the Wildcats beat the Tritons 3-0. In what would turn out to be the season finale, Keefe scored one of Chico State’s two runs as the Wildcats dropped an 8-2 decision.
Keefe wrapped up 2013 batting .282 on the season, helping lead the ’Cats to a 24-24 record and a share of fourth place in the CCAA. During the course of the year, Keefe established career highs in hits, runs scored, doubles, RBI, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, while fashioning a 15-game hitting streak from March 1-30.
