CHICO – It has become an established fact over the last six years – the Chico State softball team is mighty tough to beat at home. Since Head Coach Angel Shamblin took over the program in 2010, the Wildcats have won 67 of 100 games played at University Softball Field. Cal State East Bay experienced that fact first hand Saturday, as the Wildcats piled up 21 runs and 23 hits in a doubleheader sweep, beating the Pioneers 12-5 in the opener and taking the nightcap 9-5.
 
Chico State took three of four from East Bay over the weekend to improve to 6-2 on the season and 3-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State East Bay fell to 9-5 overall and 4-4 in CCAA play with Saturday's doubleheader defeat.

 

There were several hitting stars for the Wildcats. Courtney Brown's grand slam in game one highlighted a three-hit, five-RBI day, while Desiree' Gonzalez had five hits and knocked in a pair. Alli Cook and Tori Zimmermann had four hits apiece, with Emily McEnaney contributing three safeties on the day.
 
Saturday's doubleheader also saw a pair of career milestones. McEnaney's RBI double in game one gives her 97 runs batted in as a Wildcat, tying her with Katie Stokx for the most in Chico State softball history. Cook's steal of second in game two upped her career stolen base total to 53, tying her with Kari Hawkins for No. 1 all-time in Wildcat history.
 
Game one was a back-and-forth affair early on, with both teams letting leads get away. Chico State went up 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning when McEnaney doubled home Cook and scored on an RBI single by Gonzalez. East Bay scored a run in the top of the third, but the Wildcats got it back in the bottom of the inning when Zimmermann's base hit through the left side to drove home Cook.
 
A three-run homer by Kelsey LaVaute in the top of the fourth put the Pioneers in front 4-3, but the 'Cats answered in the bottom of the inning when Huff doubled home Marlee Rettig and scored on Cook's single up the middle to give Chico State a 5-4 lead. East Bay knotted up the contest with a run in the top of the fifth, but with two outs and the bases juiced in the bottom of the fifth, Brown broke the game open with a homer down the left field line – the grand slam putting the Wildcats on top 9-5.
 
Chico State salted the game away with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, courtesy of an RBI double by Zimmermann, a run-scoring single by Amanda Cordeiro and a Kelli Keefe sacrifice fly. Wildcat pitcher Cheyenne Sandoval quickly set down East Bay in order in the seventh, locking down the 12-5 victory. Sandoval (1-0) picked up the win in relief, with Chico State pounding out 16 hits over previously unbeaten Pioneers pitcher Sierra Clark (5-1).
 
Cal State East Bay drew first blood in game two, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. The Wildcats went ahead in the bottom of the frame when a two-out Pioneers error allowed Huff and Zimmermann to score. Chico State went to the big fly to stretch its advantage to 5-1 in the third inning – with two aboard, Brynn Lesovsky smashed a home run that bounced off the left field foul pole. East Bay plated a run in the top of the fourth, but the 'Cats answered with two in the bottom of the inning to go up 7-2.
 
The Pioneers continued to battle, taking advantage of four walks and a hit batter to score two runs in the top of the sixth. Again Chico State answered – Gonzalez doubled home Cook and Zimmermann scored on an RBI single by Brown in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 9-4 contest. East Bay made some noise in the top of the seventh, scoring a run and loading the bases with one out. The Wildcats went to the bullpen, and Haley Gilham recorded the final two outs to secure the 9-5 victory and the doubleheader sweep. Chico State starting pitcher Brooke Langeloh (5-0) went five-and-a-third innings to earn the win, with Gilham picking up the save.
 
The Wildcats are back at home next weekend, as San Francisco State visits University Softball Field for doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.