CHICO – The Chico State softball team has been itching to return to action since seeing its 2010 season come to an end just one win shy of reaching the College World Series. The nearly nine month wait is officially over this weekend, as the Wildcats open the 2011 campaign at the annual Mizuno Best of the West Invitational, hosted by Cal State Stanislaus. The ’Cats will log plenty of innings in the six team, two-day tournament, playing three games on Saturday and two more on Super Bowl Sunday at Pedretti Park in Turlock.
Chico State, picked to finish third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in the conference coach’s annual preseason poll, features nine returning players from last year’s team that finished 33-21 and reached the NCAA West Region Super Regionals. Second year Head Coach Angel Shamblin has brought in eight new players – six from the junior college ranks – to add power, speed and depth to the Wildcat attack in 2011.
Chico State’s top two run producers, Rachel Failla and Sam Quadt, are back, along with the pitching tandem of Jessica McDermott and Kacie McCarthy, who combined for 31 wins and 15 shutouts last season. Among the key Wildcat newcomers are junior pitcher Sam Baker and junior catcher Hailey Stockman, who both starred at Sierra College the past two seasons; juniors Jackie Munoz and Diana Payan, a pair of solid hitting, slick-gloved infielders from Fullerton College; and Britt Wright, a left-hand hitting speedster from Grossmont College.
The Wildcats will face Dominican University Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the season opener for both teams. At 1:30 Saturday afternoon Chico State takes on Cal State San Marcos, already 1-0 on the season and currently ranked No. 8 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The ’Cats play their final Saturday contest at 5:30 p.m. versus CCAA rival San Francisco State.
Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Chico State goes head-to-head with conference foe Sonoma State – the Seawolves were picked to finish second in the CCAA coaches preseason poll. The Wildcats wrap up the Best of the West Invitational at 1:45 Sunday afternoon against the host school, Cal State Stanislaus, which enters the tournament 0-1 on the year.
