A lot has been written about the Chico State softball team's record-setting start to the 2018 season and the success of starting pitchers Haley Gilham and Naomi Monahan. What hasn't been mentioned quite as much is the key contributions from the Wildcats' bullpen, and against Stanislaus State, Amanda Flores provided some much-needed relief to stop the Warriors' offense in its tracks and help the Wildcats earn a split of a hard-fought four-game road series. Her standout work in the pitcher's circle makes Flores the latest Wildcat of the Week.
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Flores inherited a bases-loaded, one-out situation when she was summoned from the 'Cats' bullpen in the fifth inning of Monday's doubleheader opener. Stanislaus had scored three times in the frame to take a 5-4 lead, and was threatening to add to its advantage. Flores quickly extinguished the Warriors' rally, forcing a runner at the plate and striking out Alexus Martinez to end the inning.
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With Flores keeping the 'Cats in the ballgame, Chico State responded with five runs in the top of the sixth to re-take the lead. That would turn out to be more than enough offense for Flores, who closed out the contest by retiring Stanislaus in order in both the sixth and seventh innings to lock down the 9-5 win and earn her first career victory as a Wildcat.
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Flores now has a win and a save in her three relief appearances this season, and has allowed just one hit while fanning four in four-and-two-third innings of work.
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Flores and the Wildcats are back at University Softball Field this weekend to host Cal State Monterey Bay in a big CCAA matchup. The four-game set gets underway Friday with a 12 p.m. doubleheader, followed by a Saturday twin bill beginning at 11 a.m.
