CHICO – The waiting will soon be over for the 2014 edition of the Chico State softball team. After working out for much of the fall and weeks of January practices, the Wildcats play their first official games of the season this Saturday and Sunday as part of the Best of the West Invitational at Pedretti Park in Turlock.
The Wildcats are one of eight teams competing in the annual tournament, joining fellow California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) teams San Francisco State, Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State Dominguez Hills and host school Cal State Stanislaus. Rounding out the field are Pacific West Conference teams Dominican and Holy Names, and NAIA powerhouse Cal State San Marcos.
Wildcat Head Coach Angel Shamblin begins her fifth year at the helm with a talented array of players – including 12 from last season's 24-24 squad – determined to return to the postseason after being eliminated from the final CCAA Championship Tournament berth on the last day of the 2013 campaign.
Last year's freshman-heavy squad returns with a year of valuable game experience under its collective belt, and combined with several new players who have the potential to make major contributions, the Wildcats figure to be a legitimate contender in the always-competitive CCAA. In the annual preseason poll of conference coaches, Chico State has been picked to finish fifth among the 10 CCAA teams.
The 'Cats will play five games at this weekend's Best of the West Invitational, with the first beginning Saturday at 11:15 a.m. against Cal State San Marcos. The Cougars, ranked eighth in this year's national NAIA preseason poll, were 43-12 in 2013 and reached the NAIA Softball National Championships for the fourth straight year. San Marcos has already racked up wins in its first two games of the 2014 campaign.
Saturday will mark the fourth time Chico State and San Marcos have met on the softball diamond. The Cougars have won the previous three meetings, including a 4-0 decision at last season's Best of the West Invitational.
Saturday afternoon at 1:15 the Wildcats go head-to-head with Cal State Monterey Bay in a non-conference matchup. Despite finishing 27-28 and missing the postseason in 2013, the Otters have picked to finished fourth in the CCAA preseason coaches' poll.
The Wildcats won three of the four meetings with the Otters last season and lead the all-time series between the two teams 21-18.
Chico State and San Francisco State square off at 6 p.m. to complete Saturday's Best of the West schedule. The Gators were 22-30 last season and settled in seventh place in the conference standings. They have been tabbed to finish eighth in this year's CCAA preseason coaches' poll.
Chico State took three of five from San Francisco State in 2013, though it was the Gators that posted an 8-0 win over the Wildcats at last season's Best of the West Invitational. The 'Cats hold a 92-46 edge in the all-time series.
Sunday the Wildcats play twice, beginning with Holy Names at 10:15 a.m. The Hawks finished in 10th place in the Pac West last season and posted an overall record of 16-40. In the first-ever meeting between Chico State and Holy Names, the 'Cats rolled to a 16-4 victory Feb. 3 in last year's Best of the West Invitational.
Chico State wraps up the Best of the West Sunday afternoon at 12:30 against Dominican. The Penguins finished 10-46 in 2013 and in 11th place in the Pac West. The Wildcats beat Dominican 7-2 last season in Turlock, and lead the all-time series 4-0.
Live Stats will be available online for selected Chico State games during the tournament. Form more details,
CLICK HERE to visit the Best of the West Invitational website.
