Chico State Athletics

The Chico State softball team went into the 2019 season feeling its depth would be a key ingredient to the team's success. That belief was validated with authority during the Tournament of Champions as Angel Lopez stepped into the starting lineup for the first time this season, and the No. 13 Wildcats did not miss a beat. Lopez was the team's leading hitter and helped lead the 'Cats to four victories in Turlock, and her ample contributions make the Oxnard native the latest Wildcat of the Week.
 
Lopez batted .389 (7-for-18) over the five Tournament of Champions games, scoring a run and driving in two others to help the Wildcats improve to 22-8 on the season. Defensively, the sophomore second baseman anchored the right side of the infield all weekend, racking up 10 putouts and recording 11 assists.
 
Lopez began the Tournament of Champions with a bang, going 3-for-4 Friday in the Wildcats' 4-2 victory over Holy Names, then singled and scored a run later that night to help Chico State beat Central Washington 2-1.
 
Saturday Lopez knocked in two runs that proved to be the difference in the 'Cats 3-2 win over Hawaii Hilo, then wrapped up the Tournament of Champions Sunday with a 2-for-4 day at the plate as the Wildcats nipped Concordia (Oregon) 1-0.
 
Lopez is current batting .346 on the year with a triple and four runs batted in.
 
Lopez and the Wildcats return to California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play this weekend, taking on Cal State Monterey Bay for an important four-game conference series in Seaside.