CHICO – For Chico State seniors Emily McEnaney, Kelli Keefe, Marlee Rettig, Courtney Brown and Katy Weger, this weekend marks the final time they will play in front of the home fans at University Softball Field. While time will certainly be set aside Saturday to honor the quintet's accomplishments, the Wildcats – needing a strong finish to keep their postseason hopes alive – know the team's top priority is taking down the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) leading and nationally-ranked Humboldt State Lumberjacks. The two conference rivals square off for a four-game series with a Friday doubleheader at 1 p.m., with the Senior Day Saturday twinbill getting underway at 11 a.m.
The 'Cats are looking to reverse their recent fortunes and make a late-season push to snag a spot in postseason play. Chico State enters the weekend 22-16 on the season, but has dropped seven of its last nine decisions (including three of four last weekend to Sonoma State) to slip to fifth place in the CCAA with a 15-13 conference mark, a half-game back of fourth place Cal State San Bernardino and one game ahead of sixth place Cal State Dominguez Hills. With eight regular season games remaining, the top four conference teams continue on to the CCAA Championship Tournament.
In the just-released NCAA West Region rankings, the Wildcats are No. 7. The top eight region teams at the end of the season will earn a postseason berth and a chance to compete for the Division II national championship.
Chico State heads into the weekend set with Humboldt State ranked fourth in CCAA in batting, hitting a collective .299 while averaging 4.6 runs and just under eight hits a game. The Wildcats boast the top pitching staff in the conference with a 2.13 earned run average.
The 'Cats have been productive at home this season, winning 12 of their 20 games at University Softball Field.
Humboldt State (36-10 overall) is currently one of the hottest teams in the country, winning its last 17 contests (including a four-game series sweep of UC San Diego last weekend) to jump to the top of the CCAA standings with a 22-6 conference record and rise to No. 12 in the national rankings. The Lumberjacks are hitting .333 on the season, averaging 5.8 runs and 9.3 hits a contest. The Humboldt State pitching staff is ranked fourth in the conference with a 2.81 team ERA.
The Lumberjacks have lost just twice since March 9 and are the winners of 14 straight road games heading into the weekend. All told, Humboldt State is an impressive 22-6 on the road this season.
The Lumberjacks lineup centers around the top run producer in the CCAA. Sophomore second baseman Tiffany Hollingsworth is batting .400 on the year and leads the conference with 14 home runs and 55 runs batted in.
Humboldt State took three of four against the Wildcats last season in Arcata, and lead the all-time series 87-31-2. Chico State has won seven of the last 11 meetings with the Lumberjacks, though, including five of the last six games played at University Softball Field.
Prior to Saturday's doubleheader, a special pregame ceremony will take place at approximately 10:30 a.m. to honor the five Wildcat seniors. Saturday is also District 47 Little League Day, with teams invited to come out (preferably in uniform) to not only catch the afternoon's action, but also to receive commemorative Little League pins and take part in a special "meet and greet" autograph session with Wildcat players immediately following the second game of the doubleheader.
