The Chico State softball season has already been tested several times this season, more than holding its own against some of the top teams – two of which nationally ranked – in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Wildcats, in the midst of their longest winning streak of the season, will once again be put to the test when they host No. 4 Humboldt State for a four-game series at University Softball Field. The action gets underway with a doubleheader Tuesday beginning at noon, followed by a Wednesday double dip at 11 a.m.
Fans can follow the action on the Internet with Live Stats via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video will also be available online.
Thanks to last weekend's four-game road sweep of Cal State San Bernardino, Chico State (16-6 overall, 13-5 CCAA) has won six in a row and rocketed into second place in the CCAA standings, trailing only the conference-leading Lumberjacks.
The Wildcats look to continue their success at home this season. Chico State has won seven of its 10 games played at University Softball Field.
The 'Cats have also played well against their stronger opponents. Chico State is 9-3 so far on the year versus teams playing .500 ball or better.
The Wildcats enter their series against Humboldt State batting .285 as a team while averaging 4.8 runs and 7.7 hits a game. The Chico State pitching staff currently ranks second among the 11 CCAA teams in opposing batting average (.212), second in strikeouts (120) and fourth in earned run average (2.30).
Individually, seniors Desiree' Gonzalez and Alli Cook rank among the CCAA elite in several statistical categories. Gonzalez leads all conference hitters in walks (17), is fourth in on-base percentage (.542), tied for fifth in runs batted in (19), tied for sixth in doubles (7) and ninth in batting average (.397).
Cook, batting .325 on the year, is tied for third in the CCAA with 13 stolen bases and eighth in runs scored (18).
In the pitcher's circle, Brooke Langeloh and Haley Gilham have been doing most of the heavy lifting. Langeloh is tied for second in the CCAA with eight wins, tied for the conference lead in shutouts (3), and is second in strikeouts (69), tied for second in opposing batting average (.188) and ninth in ERA (2.32). Gilham is tied for fourth in the CCAA with seven victories and ranks in the conference top 10 in opposing batting average (sixth, .213), strikeouts (seventh, 42), complete games (seventh, 8) and ERA (eighth, 2.02).
Humboldt State (13-1-1 on the season, 8-0 CCAA) is itching to get back on the field. Thanks to a bye week and a rained-out home series, the Lumberjacks have not played since Feb. 27, when they completed a four-game road sweep of Cal State San Marcos.
The Lumberjacks enter the series with the Wildcats riding a nine-game winning streak and boasting the CCA's top pitching staff, with a team ERA of 0.92. Humboldt State is fourth in the conference offensively with a team batting average of .287, averaging 5.2 runs and 7.5 hits a game.
The 'Jacks are led by senior third baseman Julie Pena. An All-CCAA selection last year, Pena is fourth in the conference batting race with a .419 average. Junior first baseman Breonna Bejaran (.324) tops Humboldt State in both homers (3) and RBI (14), while sophomore outfielder Hanna Holland (.348) is tied for the CCAA lead with 17 stolen bases.
In the circle, senior righthander Katie Obbema (6-1) and junior righty Madison Williams (6-0, 66 strikeouts) top all CCAA pitchers in earned run average. Obbema leads the conference with a 0.91 ERA, with Williams second at 0.95.
The Wildcats and Lumberjacks split a four-game series last season at University Softball Field, but since 1983 Humboldt State has had the upper hand, winning 89 of 124 meetings with Chico State. The 'Cats have fared much better against the Lumberjacks at University Softball Field, though, winning eight of the last 12 matchups in Chico since 2011.
