The start of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference season is certainly no walk in the park for the Chico State softball team. There are no creampuff opponents in the early part of the schedule, but so far the Wildcats have risen up to the challenge, playing their talented competition straight up. The 'Cats and defending CCAA champion Cal State Monterey Bay opened up a four-game series with doubleheader action Saturday at University Softball Field, with both teams coming away with victories. Chico State took the first game 4-3, with the Otters pounding out 13 hits in the nightcap to roll to a 10-4 win.
The doubleheader split moves Chico State to 6-4 on the season and 3-3 in the CCAA. Cal State Monterey Bay is now 6-7 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
The Wildcats' offense managed 10 hits over Saturday's two contests, with Brynn Lesovsky, Cyrena Taylor, Ari Marsh and Melanie Abzun posting two safeties apiece.
Game one of the double dip saw Monterey Bay's Tori Pierucci locked into a pitcher's duel with Brooke Langeloh of the Wildcats. While Pierucci held Chico State without a hit over four scoreless innings, the Otters drew first blood in the top of the third when Langeloh balked home Courtney Varela from third base.
The Wildcats finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning – with two outs, Marsh and Abzun delivered back-to-back singles, and following a walk to Lesovsky, Desiree' Gonzalez cleared the bases with a laser-shot double to the left-center field gap, giving Chico State a 3-1 lead.
Monterey Bay rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull even, but in the bottom of the frame the 'Cats pushed across what proved to be the game winner. With the bases loaded, Marsh singled to right field to plate Alli Cook to put Chico State back on top. Wildcats reliever Cheyenne Sandoval, who came in to get the last out of the sixth, retired Monterey Bay in order in the seventh to earn the victory as Chico State prevailed 4-3.
It appeared that the 'Cats were on their way to a doubleheader sweep, as they jumped out to an early lead in game two. Taylor and Abzun came through with RBI singles to highlight a three run first inning, then in the second Lesovsky's base hit down the right field line chased home Cook to extend Chico State's advantage to 4-0.
That would be all the Wildcats would do against Monterey Bay starting pitcher Bianca Noriega, who held Chico State to just two hits over the next five frames. Meanwhile, the Otters scored three runs in the third and three more in the fourth to roar out in front, then put the contest away with a four run sixth inning to eventually post the 10-4 victory and earn the doubleheader split.
Noriega went the distance for Monterey Bay to win her first game of the season; Sandoval (1-2), the second of three Wildcat pitchers, was tagged with the loss.
Chico State and Cal State Monterey Bay conclude their series Sunday with another twin bill at University Softball Field. Game one is scheduled to get underway at 12 noon.
