CHICO – The Chico State softball team has had a few days to enjoy the excitement and satisfaction that comes with reaching the postseason. The Wildcats did it in thrilling fashion, too, winning their final five games of the regular season – including, as it turned out, a must-win four-game sweep of Cal State Dominguez Hills last weekend – to qualify for postseason play for the first time since 2012. But now it's back to business for the 'Cats, as they prepare for the "second season" by taking on the conference's top teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament Friday through Sunday at Arnaiz Stadium in Stockton.
 
Chico State's late-season surge enabled the Wildcats, with an overall record of 28-18, to reach the CCAA Championship Tournament for the fourth time in the last six years. Chico State enters this year's event with an overall record of 2-6 in conference tourney play.
 
As the No. 4 seed, the 'Cats' opening round opponent is regular season champion Cal State Monterey Bay. The two teams are scheduled to face off Friday at 3 p.m. to open the double-elimination tournament, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to next month's NCAA Championship Tournament. No. 2 Humboldt State and No. 3 Sonoma State will play at 5:30 p.m. in Friday's other opening-round game.

Wildcat fans can follow the action online via Live Stats through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video will also be available.
 
Chico State has a chance to play for the Division II national championship whether or not it wins the CCAA Championship Tournament. The Wildcats are currently No. 7 in the latest West Region rankings, with the top eight teams in the West advancing to the 64-team NCAA Championship Tournament field. The official team selection will be announced Monday, May 4.
 
For now, the Wildcats focus their attention on this weekend's action. Chico State heads into the CCAA Championship Tournament batting .308 as a team while averaging 4.8 runs and 8.3 hits a game. The 'Cats' pitching staff is the stingiest in the CCAA, boast a conference-best 2.30 earned run average.
 
Chico State has played well on the road this season, winning 14 of 22 games away from University Softball Field. Against the three other CCAA Conference Tournament teams, the Wildcats were 6-6 on the season.
 
Here's an overview of Chico State's three CCAA Conference Tournament opponents:
 
Cal State Monterey Bay (44-10, 28-8 CCAA)
   -- Monterey Bay is currently the No. 5 team in the nation and is No. 2 in the NCAA West Region rankings.
   -- The Otters, who won the inaugural CCAA Championship Tournament back in 2009, are making their fifth appearance in the conference tourney. Monterey Bay has an overall record of 6-6 in CCAA Championship Tournament play. 
   -- The Otters captured their second straight conference regular season title, and finished with a flourish, winning 14 of their last 16 games.
   -- Monterey Bay's offense is the best in the CCAA, with a collective .351 batting average and averaging 6.1 runs and 8.9 hits a game.
   -- The Otters' pitching staff is second only to Chico State in the CCAA with a 2.32 ERA.
   -- Chico State is the only team to win a series against Cal State Monterey Bay this season. The Wildcats beat the Otters three out of four March 20-21 at University Stadium.
   -- Monterey Bay was 24-8 on the road this season.
   -- The Otters were a combined 7-5 against the other three conference tournament teams on the year.
   -- The Wildcats hold a slim 25-24 in the all-time series between the two teams, but Monterey Bay has won seven of the last 11 meetings.
   -- In the CCAA Championship Tournament, Chico State won first round matchups with Monterey Bay in both 2010 and 2012.
 
Humboldt State (39-15, 25-11 CCAA)
   -- Humboldt State is the No. 15 team in the country and No. 4 in the latest NCAA West Region rankings.
   -- The Lumberjacks have won each of the last two CCAA Tournament Championships and are making their fourth tourney appearance. Humboldt has an overall record of 6-3 in CCAA Championship Tournament play.
   -- After winning 17 in a row from March 21-April 11, the Lumberjacks dropped five of their last eight decisions, splitting a four-game set with Chico State and losing three of four against Monterey Bay to close out the season.
   -- Humboldt hit .316 during the regular season, averaging 5.2 runs and 8.6 hits a game while leading the CCAA with 57 home runs.
   -- The Lumberjacks' pitching staff ranked fourth in the conference with a 2.93 ERA and paced the CCAA in strikeouts (339).
   -- Chico State and Humboldt State split a four-game series April 17-18 at University Softball Field. The Lumberjacks have won six of the last 10 meetings with the 'Cats and lead the all-time series 89-33-2.
   -- Humboldt won 24 of 32 road games this season.
   -- Against the three other CCAA Championship Tournament teams Humboldt State was a combined 5-7 this season.
   -- Chico State and Humboldt State have never faced each other in the CCAA Championship Tournament.
 
Sonoma State (38-17, 24-11 CCAA)
   -- Sonoma State is currenly No. 5 in the NCAA West Region rankings.
   -- The Seawolves won back-to-back CCAA Championship Tournament crowns in 2010 and 2011 and are making their sixth appearance in the conference tourney. Sonoma State has an overall record of 12-7 in CCAA Championship Tournament play.
   -- The Seawolves won 10 of their final 14 games to wrap up the regular season.
   -- Sonoma State was second among CCAA teams in batting average, hitting a collective .336 while averaging 5.8 and 9.1 hits a game. The Seawolves are far and away the conference's top base-stealing team, swiping a collective 124 bags on the year.
   -- Sonoma State's pitching staff combined for a team ERA of 3.20 – fifth best in the CCAA – and ranked second in the conference in strikeouts (262).
   -- The Seawolves took three of four from Chico State April 10-11 in Rohnert Park. Sonoma has won five of the last six meetings with the 'Cats and lead the all-time series 87-64.
   -- The Seawolves were 19-10 on the road this season.
   -- Against Chico State, Monterey Bay and Humboldt, Sonoma was a combined 6-6 on the year.
   -- The Wildcats are 0-2 against the Seawolves in CCAA Championship Tournament play.

For more information on the CCAA Championship Tournament, CLICK HERE.