CHICO – The Chico State softball team travels to southern California this weekend to take on Cal State Dominguez Hills, and with just two weeks to go in the regular season, the four-game series presents a golden opportunity for both teams. The Wildcats can solidify their hold on one of the top four spots in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), earning a conference tournament berth, while at the same time strengthen their No. 3 ranking in the NCAA West Region. The Toros, fourth in the CCAA standings, have a chance to break into the coveted top eight in the West with a series win over the ’Cats. The action gets underway with a doubleheader Friday at 1:00 p.m., with a twinbill slated for Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
Chico State enters the series with Dominguez Hills 24-12 on the season and in third place in the CCAA with a 15-9 conference mark. After taking three of four last weekend at home against Humboldt State, the Wildcats won just once in a four-game set versus Sonoma State Monday and Tuesday. The Toros are 24-17 on the year and 14-10 in CCAA play, just a half-game back of Chico State. Dominguez Hills is playing some of its best ball of the season, winning two straight and five of its last six games heading into the weekend. The Toros took three of four from Cal State East Bay last Friday and Saturday.
The Wildcats are currently ranked fourth in the CCAA in hitting, batting a collective .281 while averaging 4.1 runs and 7.4 hits a game. Chico State’s 2.45 team earned run average is third among CCAA pitching staffs. Individually, Hailey Stockman’s .394 batting average is tops in the conference; she also ranks second in the CCAA in slugging percentage (.702) and on-base percentage (.488), and is among the top 10 in home runs (7) and RBI (30). Diana Payan is eighth in the CCAA with a .373 batting average, while Britt Wright is fourth in the conference with 17 stolen bases. Sam Baker is third among CCAA pitchers in wins (17) and ERA (1.42); her 155 strikeouts on the year ranks second in the conference.
Chico State is 16-8 on the road in 2010, but has dropped four of its last five away from University Softball Field. Cal State Dominguez Hills, which is playing its first home games since March 12, enters this weekend’s series with the Wildcats 12-6 this season at Toro Diamond.
The Toros are ninth in the CCAA in hitting, batting a combined .255 while averaging a little over four runs and six hits a game. Dominguez Hills possesses a top-notch pitching staff, which ranks fourth in the conference with a 2.59 team ERA.
The Toros are led by 2010 All-American and last year’s CCAA Player of the Year, Emily McEwen. The junior shortstop is batting .355 this season and is tied for third in the conference in home runs (9), and tied for sixth in RBI (30). Infielder Krista Gould is the other power threat for Dominguez Hills – the senior is batting .269 with three homers and 20 runs batted in. Junior third baseman Khryssi Steele is hitting .297 for the Toros and has collected 12 extra-base hits on the year. The Dominguez Hills pitching corps features two talented sophomore righthanders, Stephanie Jimenez (12-8, 2.35 ERA; fourth in the CCAA with 106 strikeouts) and Lauren Harper (11-9, 2.69 ERA; seventh in the conference with 97 strikeouts).
Cal State Dominguez Hills holds a 34-32 edge over Chico State in head-to-head matchups dating back to 1983. Last season the Wildcats won the season series, beating the Toros three out of four Feb. 27-28 at University Softball Field.
Fans can follow the action of the Chico State-Cal State Dominguez Hills series on Live Stats through the Toro Athletics website.
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All four games will be broadcast live via Internet radio on the Toro Sports Network. Coverage starts approximately 15 minutes before the start of game one both Friday and Saturday.
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