In her three years with the Chico State softball team, Megan Bowley has provided the Wildcats with solid offensive production. But come postseason time, the junior from Corona always seems to step it up a notch. Last year, Bowley batted .583 with two home runs in the NCAA West Regional, and in last weekend's CCAA Championship Tournament, she not only hit .500 but provided the game-winning single in the finale that gave the 'Cats the tournament title. Bowley's postseason batting prowess makes her the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Bowley hit safely in all three CCAA Championship Tournament contests, collecting five hits in 10 plate appearances. She recorded a double and knocked in three runs on the weekend, with two very big RBI coming in Sunday's tournament title-clinching game.
Bowley singled home a run Friday in the Wildcats' 12-0 thumping of Cal State San Bernardino, then went 2-for-4 with a double and run scored as Chico State bested UC San Diego 7-0 on Saturday.
Bowley's first at-bat in Sunday's title game against San Bernardino turned out to be the game-winner. Her opposite-field single plated Bailey Akins and Claire Wayne to give Chico State a lead it would never relinquish, as the Wildcats held on to beat the Coyotes 3-2 and hoist the program's first-ever conference tournament banner.
Bowley and the 50-3 Wildcats—ranked No. 1 in the West and No. 2 in the country—continue postseason play this week, hosting the NCAA West Regional Thursday through Saturday at University Softball Field.
