CHICO – Following last Friday's doubleheader sweep of Sonoma State, the Chico State softball team was exactly where it wanted to be – in control of its postseason destiny. Less than 24 hours later, it was a different story altogether. The Seawolves grabbed the inside track on the fourth and final California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament berth by taking both ends of the series-ending twinbill, leaving the 'Cats knowing they essentially need to sweep Cal State East Bay in this weekend's regular season finale and get some help in order to reach the postseason.
The Wildcats travel to Hayward to take on the Pioneers in a four-game series beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a Saturday twinbill at noon. Fans can follow the action of all four games online via Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
Chico State enters the regular season's final weekend 23-23 overall and tied with Cal State San Bernardino for fifth place in the CCAA – one game back of Sonoma State – with a 16-16 conference record, while Cal State East Bay (24-25, 15-17 CCAA) is still mathematically alive for the final postseason berth.
The Seawolves finish out this weekend with a four-game set against ninth place San Francisco State (17-34, 8-24 CCAA), while the Coyotes are on the road against the No. 3 team in the nation, Cal State Monterey Bay (41-7, 22-6 CCAA). While the Otters have already punched their ticket to the CCAA Championship Tournament, they still have something to play for – Monterey Bay's magic number is four to clinch the conference's regular season title.
The Chico State-East Bay series pits two evenly-matched teams. The Wildcats are batting a collective .282, averaging 3.6 runs and 7.1 hits a game, while the Pioneers boast a .263 team batting average, posting 4.4 runs and 6.7 hits a contest. Cal State East Bay has proven to be tough to beat at home, winning 15 of their 20 games this season at Pioneer Field. By contrast, Chico State is 11-17 on the road in 2014.
Alli Cook is the hottest Wildcat hitter heading into this weekend's action. The sophomore center fielder is batting .372 and leading the CCAA with 25 stolen bases. Though they had a relatively quiet series against Sonoma, Desiree' Gonzalez (.323 batting average, 10 home runs, 40 runs batted in) and Emily McEnaney (.309, BA, five homers, 27 RBI) will be expected to anchor the 'Cats' offensive attack.
In the pitcher's circle, Alex Molina looks to finish the regular season with a flourish. The senior ranks among the top 10 CCAA hurlers in wins (11), innings pitched (136.2), complete games (14), strikeouts (66) and earned run average (2.77).
Cal State East Bay features a power-hitting lineup, with four players producing six or more home runs. Sophomore outfielder Lauren Vestal owns the team's top batting average (.356), with junior infielder Kelsey LaVaute (.294 BA, 12 home runs, 44 RBI) providing a large chunk of the Pioneers' run production. Senior designated player Chelsie Kakela (.331 BA, nine homers, 37 RBI) is also a major offensive threat.
East Bay's top pitcher is senior righthander Emily Perlich (13-13, 3.42 ERA), who ranks second in the CCAA with 127 strikeouts on the year.
Last season, the Wildcats swept a four-game series from the Pioneers Mar. 15-16 at University Softball Field. Chico State has won the last 11 meetings with East Bay, and since 1983 leads the all-time series 53-32.
