ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Charlotte Honciano delivered the biggest hit of her Wildcat career in Saturday’s finale of the three-day Sonoma Invitational, and it turned out to be the game-winner as Chico State defeated CSU Monterey Bay 2-1 in eight innings at Seawolf Diamond. Earlier in the day the ’Cats dropped a 6-3 decision to Sonoma State.
After winning two straight Friday to open the Invitational, Chico State was hitting on all cylinders in its opening game Saturday, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on base hits by Christine Johnson and Gwen Cox, a two-out, two-run double by Rachel Failla and an RBI single by Bec Johnson. But the Wildcats couldn’t sustain the offensive firepower, as the Seawolves held Chico State to just three hits the rest of the way. Sonoma State made it a 3-2 ballgame in the bottom of the first when Simone Brandalise doubled home Janelle Arnold and then scored on the front end of a double steal. The Seawolves tied the game in the fourth inning when a throwing error by ’Cats catcher Jenna Wermes allowed Nikki Jaime to score from third. In the fifth inning Sonoma took the lead for good, scoring three times to go up 6-3. The Wildcats got the potential tying run to the plate with nobody out in the sixth inning, but the Seawolves’ Brittany Williams struck out Christina Wieck, then Lindsay Emmel came in from the Sonoma bullpen to fan Honciano and Kelly Head to get out of the jam. The Seawolves set down Chico State without incident in the seventh to secure the 6-3 victory. Lauren Walker went all the way for the ’Cats but took the loss to fall to 3-9 on the season. Cox and Christine Johnson each went 2-for-4 to pace the Chico State offense.
The results were much better in the second game, but the Wildcats had to work for the victory. Monterey Bay held Chico State to just one hit through the first three innings, and in the bottom of the third a two-out RBI single by Rachelle Morales gave the Otters a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until the fifth, when the Wildcats finally broke through and tied the score without the benefit of a hit – Jesse Minch led off the inning with a walk and two outs later was standing at third base. Minch came home with the tying run when Sam Quadt reached first on an error by Monterey Bay shortstop Niki Ames. The Otters had a chance to win in regulation, but a one-out double went to waste as Chico State pitcher Jessica McDermott snuffed out the potential game-winning rally, sending the contest into extra innings. That set the stage for Honciano, who delivered a two-out single to center in the top of the eighth to chase home Kait Manning and put the Wildcats in front 2-1. Monterey Bay got a runner to third with one out in the bottom of the eighth, but McDermott came up big again, striking out Jennifer Montez and getting Morales to ground out to second to end it, giving Chico State its third win in four tries during the Sonoma Invitational. McDermott (4-10) tossed all eight innings to earn the victory; Honciano finished with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, while Bec Johnson went 2-for-4.
The two-game split Saturday improved Chico State’s season record to 8-19.
The Wildcats wrap up the Sonoma Invitational Sunday with games against Grand Canyon University and the host school, Sonoma State. The ’Cats and Antelopes will open the day’s action with a 9:00 a.m. first pitch; the ’Cats-Seawolves contest will begin at 1:00 p.m.
BOX SCORE vs. Sonoma State
BOX SCORE vs. CSU Monterey Bay
