Wednesday presented the Chico State softball team with a classic "good news, bad news" scenario. Things started off on an extremely positive note, as Head Coach Angel Shamblin's squad earned the No. 23 ranking in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 poll. The day ended with disappointment, though, as the Wildcats dropped a pair of extra-inning contests to the 4th-ranked team in the nation, Humboldt State. The visiting Lumberjacks edged the 'Cats 4-2 in eight innings in the opener, then swept the series-ending doubleheader with an eight inning, 3-2 win in the nightcap.
Despite losing the first game of the set, Humboldt State triumphed in the next three at University Softball Field to win the series between the top two teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
Wednesday's two losses dropped Chico State to 17-9 on the season and into third place in the CCAA standings with a 14-8 conference record. The first place Lumberjacks improved to 16-2-1 overall and 11-1 in CCAA play.
The 'Cats' offense cranked out 14 total hits on the day, with Brynn Lesovsky and Alli Cook racking up three apiece. Rachel DeHart and Desiree' Gonzalez each collected a pair of safeties.
Humboldt State wasted no time getting on the board in Wednesday's doubleheader opener, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Lumberjacks starting pitcher Katie Obbema made the run stand up through six innings, though the Wildcats had a chance to score by loading the bases with just one out in the fourth, only to come away empty.
Humboldt was still ahead 1-0 into the bottom of the seventh when the Wildcats took advantage of a two-out error to pull even. With the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Lorren Sharp popped a ball behind second base that was dropped, allowing Melanie Abzun to score. The Lumberjacks scooped up the loose ball and fired home, throwing out Cyrena Taylor trying to score the winning run from second base, keeping the score tied and sending the contest into extra innings.
Humboldt quickly went back in front in the top of the eighth inning, combining three hits, two Chico State errors and a passed ball to plate three runs and take a 4-1 lead. DeHart blasted a home run to dead center field in the bottom of the eighth inning, but her first collegiate home run wasn't enough to bring the Wildcats back, and the Lumberjacks hung on for the 4-2 victory.
Brooke Langeloh started and allowed just one run on five hits while striking out seven in seven innings of work. Haley Gilham was in the pitcher's circle in the fateful eighth inning and was charged with the loss.
It was Chico State that drew first blood in the nightcap, as Gonzalez singled home Ari Marsh in the bottom of the first inning. Humboldt answered with two in the top of the second inning, and Lumberjacks starting pitcher Maddie Williams kept the 'Cats in check until the bottom of the fourth. The Wildcats knotted up the contest when Lesovsky delivered her second double of the game and scored when Gilham cracked a two-out two-bagger over the center fielder's head.
Each team had a chance to end it in the seventh inning, but both the Lumberjacks and Wildcats left the potential winning run in scoring position, forcing extra frames. With two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Breonna Bejaran lined a solo homer to left center to put Humboldt State on top. Chico State got the tying run aboard with one out in the bottom of the eighth, but Williams struck out back-to-back Wildcats to lock down the 'Jacks' 3-2 win and the doubleheader sweep.
Gilham pitched well for the Wildcats, allowing three runs and six hits in 7.2 innings, but took the loss to slip to 7-6 on the year.
Chico State finishes out the week with a non-conference doubleheader Sunday at 11 a.m., when the Wildcats host No. 15 Dixie State at University Softball Field.
