On a day when the bats were mostly silent, the Chico State softball team found out Friday it can rely on clutch pitching and defense to still get the job done. The Wildcats opened California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play with a split of their series-opening doubleheader with No. 19 Sonoma State, as Brooke Langeloh tossed six shutout innings and Ari Marsh provided the game-winning hit and game-ending defensive play to give the 'Cats a 1-0 victory after dropping the first game of the twin bill 5-0. 
 
The Wildcats moved to 4-2 on the season and 1-1 in the CCAA with the doubleheader split. Sonoma State's record stood at 3-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play at the end of the day.
 
Chico State had just nine hits on the day, but Marsh and Brynn Lesovsky were productive at the plate, collecting three safeties apiece.

 

The Wildcats' offense could not get untracked in the first game of Friday's doubleheader. Sarah Galaviz was able to reach on a one-out throwing error in the top of the first inning, but Sonoma State pitcher Amanda Llerena retired the next 11 batters she faced before walking Desiree' Gonzalez with two outs in the top of the fourth.
 
The Seawolves did all their damage in the bottom of the second inning, with three straight two-out hits netting five runs. Chico State starter Haley Gilham settled down to hold Sonoma State scoreless on four hits over the next four frames, but the 'Cats were unable to whittle down the deficit.
 
Llerena took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Lesovsky lined a one-out single to center. The Wildcats' best chance to score came in the top of the seventh when Cyrena Taylor led off with a double and Cailin Garmon was hit by a pitch with two outs, but Llerena was able to retire Briana Contreras to end it and give Sonoma State the 5-0 victory.
 
Gilham (1-2) went the distance for the Wildcats but was charged with the loss. Lesovsky, Taylor and Marsh recorded the only Chico State hits of the contest.
 
Llerena was back in the pitcher's circle for Sonoma State for game two, with Brooke Langeloh going for the 'Cats. Chico State left runners in scoring position in both the first and second innings, but finally broke through in the fifth when Melanie Abzun singled, advanced to second on a bunt single by Cailin Garmon and came home when Marsh delivered a double to right-center.
 
Langeloh made Chico State's 1-0 lead stand up, but not without some late inning drama. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Seawolves loaded the bases with two outs, only to have Langeloh get Olivia Lucchese to hit into a force play to end the threat.
 
Langeloh walked Lindsey Calcanyblair to begin the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Wildcats elected to go to the bullpen. Cheyenne Sandoval came on in relief and got the first batter she faced on a sacrifice bunt, but followed with a walk to Alison Strycula. With the potential tying and winning runs aboard, Carlie Daniel hit a long fly down the right field line. Marsh was able to track the ball down in foul ground, make the catch, then spin and throw a strike to second base to double up Strycula trying to advance to end the ballgame. Marsh's defensive gem cemented the 'Cats' 1-0 victory and the doubleheader split.
 
Langeloh struck out seven in six-plus innings to earn the victory, raising her season record to 3-0 and lowering her earned run average to 0.47. Sandoval notched her second save of the year.
 
Chico State and Sonoma State wrap up their four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon at Seawolf Softball Field.