CHICO – Several members of the Chico State softball team turned in outstanding performances over the weekend, leading to the Wildcats winning three out of four against Cal State Dominguez Hills at University Softball Field. But two ’Cats in particular – third baseman Bec Johnson and lefty reliever Caitlin Byrne – played major roles in the team’s success, and Monday they were honored as the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for the period of Feb. 22-28.
Johnson, the first Wildcat softball player to win CCAA Player of the Week honors in nearly three years, finished the Dominguez Hills series batting .500, scoring four times, driving in four runs and stealing three bases while making several sparkling plays at third base. After going 1-for-3 in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Toros, Johnson went 2-for-4 in the nightcap and scored twice. Her leadoff double in the 5th inning started a two-run rally that proved to be the difference in the Wildcats’ 7-5 victory. In the opener of Sunday’s twinbill, Johnson went 3-for-3, knocked in three runs, scored once and stole a base as Chico State rolled to a 9-1 win. In the 11-inning second game, Johnson was 1-for-4 at the plate, stole home in the bottom of the 10th inning to keep the Wildcats alive, then singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 11th to give Chico State a thrilling 3-2 victory over Dominguez Hills.
Johnson raised her season batting average 50 points to a team-high .371 with her efforts over the weekend. She also ranks second on the ’Cats in hits (13) and RBI (nine). With her three stolen bases over the weekend, Johnson now has 33 stolen bases in her Chico State career and has moved up to sixth all-time in school history.
Byrne, who did not see action in any of the Wildcats’ first 10 games of the season, made three relief appearances against Cal State Dominguez Hills, notching a pair of victories.
Byrne’s first pitching stint ever as a Wildcat came in the seventh inning of the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader, inheriting a bases-loaded, one-out situation, and the San Diego native quickly retired both batters she faced to get out of the inning. In the nightcap, Byrne came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning and twirled three-and-two-thirds innings of shutout ball, scattering four hits, striking out three and getting credit for the win as the Wildcats prevailed, 7-5. Byrne also was the winning pitcher Sunday in Chico State’s 11-inning, second game marathon with the Toros, allowing just a run on three hits in two-and-a-third innings of work, as the Wildcats posted a 3-2 victory.
The Wildcats are in action this week with a non-conference doubleheader Friday against Oregon Tech beginning at noon.
