CHICO – The 2013 season is barely past the midway point, but already the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) softball standings have become a very hot topic. Six teams are bunched together fighting for the conference’s four postseason tournament berths, and right square in the mix is the Chico State Wildcats. This weekend the ’Cats host another team in the postseason picture, Cal State Monterey Bay, for a four-game series with doubleheaders beginning Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at noon.
Chico State is 15-10 on the year and shares third place with UC San Diego in the CCAA with a 13-7 conference record. The Wildcats’ schedule has been frontloaded with home games, and Head Coach Angel Shamblin’s squad has reaped the benefits, winning 10 of its 12 games at University Softball Field. As a result, the ’Cats will need to turn into productive road warriors to reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive year – following this weekend, Chico State will play exclusively on the road before wrapping up the regular season at home April 26-27 against UC San Diego.
The Wildcats kick off the busiest stretch of the season (a minimum 21 games scheduled over the next 30 days) this weekend riding a four-game winning streak thanks to their series sweep of Cal State East Bay March 15-16. The ’Cats’ offense consistently clicked against the Pioneers, pushing Chico State’s team batting average to .280 on the year. The Wildcats’ pitching staff ranks sixth among CCAA teams with a 2.87 earned run average.
Freshman Desiree’ Gonzalez continues to be Chico State’s top producer at the dish, leading the Wildcats in batting (.367), hits (29), extra-base hits (14), home runs (five) and runs batted in (26). Gonzalez is far from being the ’Cats’ lone offensive threat – Emily McEnaney (.345, two homers, 19 RBI), Alli Cook (.337, team high 21 runs scored and eight stolen bases) and Alex Molina (.302) are all swinging the bat effectively.
In the pitcher’s circle, Molina is among the CCAA leaders in wins (nine), ERA (2.14) and strikeouts (54). Despite a deceptive 3-5 record, Kayla McConnell continues to deliver quality innings for the ’Cats, posting an impressive 2.38 ERA while not allowing a home run in nearly 68 innings of work this season.
Cal State Monterey Bay is 18-13 overall entering the weekend, but the Otters are currently playing their best ball of the season. Monterey Bay has won six in a row, outscoring their opponents 46-8 during that stretch. The Otters reside in fifth place in the CCAA with an 11-9 conference record, but are very much in the hunt for its fifth conference tournament appearance in six years. Monterey Bay comes to Chico ranked third in the CCAA in team batting (.305) and second among conference teams in fielding (.970).
The Otters are led by All-CCAA standout Cori Reinhardt – the conference’s 2012 CCAA Freshman of the Year is batting .448 with two home runs and 35 runs batted in, and has served as Monterey Bay’s most effective pitcher, fashioning a 9-9 record with 78 strikeouts and a 2.64 earned run average. Senior outfielders Skyler Valdivia (.333, 24 runs scored, nine stolen bases) and Angelina Orozco (.327, 29 runs scored, 12 RBI, seven steals) are key components of an Otters offense that averages five runs and eight hits a game, while junior infielder Lauren Ermitano is Monterey Bay’s top long-ball threat, leading the team with four home runs.
Chico State and Monterey Bay have played things pretty evenly over the life of their eight-year rivalry. All-time, the Wildcats hold an 18-17 advantage over the Otters, but the two teams have split the last 26 meetings dating back to 2008. The ’Cats and Monterey Bay split six contests in last season, including two in the CCAA Championship Tournament. Chico State’s lone victories in the conference tourney have both been against Monterey Bay (5-0 in 2010 and 6-3 last season).
Saturday’s series-ending doubleheader is also “Not One More” Day at University Softball Field. The Wildcat softball team is promoting the “Not One More” organization, dedicated to providing parent education and support to community members struggling
with addiction and substance abuse. Fans will be treated to a brief pregame presentation, with additional information and materials available at the ballpark.
Fans not able to make it to University Softball Field in person can follow the action online via Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats
