CHICO – The 2015 season may have reached its final weekend, but there'll be no playing out the string for the Chico State softball team. There's just too much riding on the Wildcats' huge four-game series against Cal State Dominguez Hills, with both teams trying to overtake Cal State San Bernardino and grab the fourth and final California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament berth. The 'Cats and Toros square off Friday at 1 p.m. for the series-opening doubleheader, with a second twinbill scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Chico State enters the weekend set with an overall record of 24-18 while sitting in fifth place in the CCAA with a 17-15 conference mark. With four regular-season contests remaining, the Wildcats are a half-game back of fourth place Cal State San Bernardino (25-23, 17-14 CCAA) and one game ahead of Cal State Dominguez Hills (23-25, 16-16 CCAA). At the conclusion of Saturday's action, one of those three teams will join Cal State Monterey Bay, Humboldt State and Sonoma State to compete May 1-3 in Stockton at the CCAA Championship Tournament.
While Chico State and Dominguez Hills go head-to-head this weekend, San Bernardino will be in La Jolla for a four-game series with UC San Diego (24-22) to conclude regular season play.
Even if they come up short in reaching the conference tournament, the Wildcats still have a postseason ace up their sleeve. Chico State is No. 7 in the latest West Regional rankings, with the top eight teams in the region earning an invitational to the NCAA Championship Tournament beginning May 7.
The 'Cats are coming off a four-game series split last weekend against 12th-ranked Humboldt State, but Chico State heads into its showdown with Dominguez Hills having dropped nine of its last 13 decisions. The Toros have had their late-season troubles as well, losing 10 of 12 before sweeping a doubleheader against San Bernardino last Saturday.
The Wildcats 10-8 playing on the road this season, while Cal State Dominguez Hills has won nine of 14 on its home field, Toro Diamond.
Chico State and Dominguez Hills are evenly matched offensively. The Wildcats rank fourth in the CCAA with a team batting average of .298 while averaging 4.5 runs and 7.9 hits a game. The Toros are hitting a collective .281, averaging 4.1 runs and 7.3 hits a contest.
Where the Wildcats might have an edge, at lease statistically, is pitching. Chico State leads the CCAA with a team earned run average of 2.11, while Dominguez Hills hurlers sport an ERA of 4.15.
Last season the 'Cats took three of four from the Toros March 7-8 at University Softball Field. Dominguez Hills has won six of the last 10 meetings with Chico State at Toro Diamond and leads the all-time series between the two teams 42-41.
Fans can follow all the action of this weekend's series online with Live Stats and live streaming video, both available on the Wildcat Athletics website.
