CARSON, Calif. – The Chico State softball team has had problems scoring runs consistently all season, and it was more of the same in Saturday’s series-ending doubleheader against Cal State Dominguez Hills – after scoring only three runs but earning a doubleheader split Friday, the Wildcats scored just once the entire afternoon in dropping 4-0 and 2-1 decisions to the Toros.
The opener of the double dip saw Dominguez Hills jump out to an early lead – Liz Vasquez opened the Toros’ second inning with a single, went to third on a double by Amber Angel and scored on a Regina Farfan single. Jessica Marlow then singled to drive in pinch runner Allycia Muir…then later in the frame Farfan scored from third on a Lauren Walker wild pitch to give Dominguez Hills a 3-0 lead. Chico State could not get anything going offensively against Farfan, who scattered four hits and did not allow a single baserunner past second base through the first six innings. The Toros added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth when Angel launched a solo homer to center off Christina Wieck to make it a 4-0 contest. Charlotte Honciano reached third base in the top of the seventh, but the ’Cats couldn’t avoid the shutout as Farfan got Sam Quadt to ground out to end it and give Dominguez Hills the 4-0 win. Farfan (12-7) picked up the complete game victory, while Walker (4-11) took the loss for Chico State.
In the day’s second game, Farfan and the ’Cats Jessica McDermott locked up in a low-scoring duel. Gwen Cox led off the game with a double but was stranded at third base as the Wildcats came up empty in the opening frame. Dominguez Hills went on top 1-0 in the bottom of the third as McDermott gave up four straight hits to open the inning; Khryssi Steele’s bases-loaded single plated Michelle Miranda for the first run of the game. Chico State tied up the contest in the top of the sixth inning when Cox scored from second on a Vasquez error, but in the bottom of the sixth the Toros answered back – Steele delivered a leadoff double, went to third on a single by Emiley McEwen and scored on a Vasquez groundout to put the Toros back on top 2-1. Kaci Carroll came on to pitch for Dominguez Hills in the seventh and was greeted by a leadoff single by Rachel Failla to put the potential tying run aboard for the Wildcats. But Carroll got Wieck to pop up a sacrifice bunt and Honciano to ground into a double play to end the game and give the Toros the doubleheader sweep and the series victory. Farfan (13-7) got credit for the win, with Carroll earning her fourth save of the season…McDermott (5-12) pitched well in going the distance for the ’Cats, but took the tough-luck defeat.
The two losses Saturday dropped Chico State to 10-23 on the season and 4-16 in the CCAA; Cal State Dominguez Hills improved to 21-11 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
The Wildcats will be back in action Wednesday as they travel to Belmont for a doubleheader against Notre Dame de Namur…the first game is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. Chico State returns to CCAA play Friday and Saturday, hosting UC San Diego for a pair of doubleheaders at University Softball Field.
BOX SCORE – Game One
BOX SCORE – Game Two
