As Alli Cook’s play this spring attests, the dreaded “sophomore slump” has never once been a concern in 2014. After delivering a solid freshman season, the Chico State softball team’s center fielder has performed even better this spring, providing the Wildcats with consistent production at the top of the batting order while once again displaying her considerable defensive skills. Cook had one of her best offensive efforts to date in the ’Cats’ home season finale against Sonoma State, resulting in the Simi Valley native being named Wildcat of the Week.
Cook batted .583 over the course of the weekend set with Sonoma, collecting seven hits in 12 official at-bats. Besides hitting safely in all four contests, she contributed to the Wildcat offensive attack with a pair of sacrifice bunts and four stolen bases in as many attempts.
In Friday’s series-opening doubleheader, Cook collected three hits, scored a run and swiped two bases to help the Wildcats to a twinbill sweep of the Seawolves. Things didn’t go so well for Chico State Saturday, as the ’Cats dropped both ends of the double dip, but Cook continued to produce, pounding out four hits over the two games while stealing two more bases.
Cook currently tops Chico State in batting (.372), hits (48) and runs scored (26) and leads the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 25 stolen bases. In less than two full seasons, she is already ranked third in Wildcat history in career stolen bases and is just two swipes shy of tying the program’s single-season stolen base record.
Cook and the Wildcats, still in the hunt for a CCAA Championship Tournament berth, close out the regular season this Friday and Saturday in Hayward against Cal State East Bay.
