CHICO – After rain washed away the first half of this weekend’s four-game series with Cal State San Bernardino, there were nothing but smiles – okay, maybe a tear or two – for the Chico State softball team Saturday afternoon. Following an emotional Senior Day ceremony saluting 11 outgoing Wildcats, No. 19 Chico State swung into “takin’ care of business” mode to take both ends of the day’s twinbill, beating the Coyotes 5-2 and 2-1 at University Softball Field to move closer to earning a third straight trip to the postseason.
Saturday’s two wins improved the ’Cats’ record to 29-13 overall and 20-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Pending official word from the CCAA, Chico State’s winning percentage in conference play appears to be high enough to qualify for the fourth and final berth in the upcoming CCAA Championship Tournament. The two victories also helped solidify the Wildcats’ No. 3 ranking in the West Region and keep the team squarely in the mix for an invite to the NCAA Championship Tournament. The doubleheader sweep dropped Cal State San Bernardino to 17-28 on the season and 10-20 in CCAA play.
Britt Wright was the Wildcats’ offensive star Saturday, collecting five of team’s 12 hits on the afternoon and knocking in a key run in the nightcap. Hailey Stockman bashed her ninth home run of the year in the opener, tying her own Chico State single season record for big flies. In the pitcher’s circle, Sam Baker and Jessica McDermott turned in complete-game performances in their final regular season home games.
The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead in the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader, when, with two aboard in the bottom of the first inning, Stockman sent a screaming liner over the fence in left-center field to put the ’Cats up 3-0. Chico State went up 5-0 with two more in the bottom of the third, courtesy of an RBI single by Baker and a bases-loaded walk issued to Taylor Hanamaikai. Baker, who wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, took a one-hit shutout into the sixth when Alyssa Flores led off the frame with a booming home run to left to put the Coyotes on the board. Britney Butler launched a solo homer for San Bernardino with two outs in the top of the seventh, but Baker came back to fan Flores and lock down the ’Cats’ 5-2 victory. Baker struck out a dozen in upping her season record to 14-5; Wright had three of the Wildcats’ six hits in the contest.
BOX SCORE - Game One
Cal State San Bernardino broke the seal in Saturday’s second game, when Jamie Leffingwell doubled to lead off the top of the second inning and scored on an error by Diana Payan. Coyotes starter Carly Land made the 1-0 lead stand up for a couple of innings, getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the third, but she was not as fortunate in the fourth frame, surrendering a two-out double to Wright that plated pinch-runner Kelli Keefe with the game-tying score. The Wildcats took the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Sam Quadt, streaking home from third on a grounder to short, beat the throw to the plate by sliding around the tag of catcher Alex Mitchell, putting the Wildcats up 2-1. San Bernardino got the potential tying run aboard in each of the next two innings, but each time McDermott stiffened, and in the bottom of the seventh, after giving up a leadoff single, she retired the next three batters to put the finishing touches on the ’Cats’ 2-1 victory and the doubleheader sweep. McDermott struck out seven to earn the win and run her season record to 8-5.
BOX SCORE - Game Two
Chico State hits the road next week to finish out the regular season. Wednesday the Wildcats will play a doubleheader against Cal State Monterey Bay, then travel to Hayward for Friday and Saturday doubleheaders versus Cal State East Bay.
