Mother Nature certainly didn't make things easy for the Chico State softball team Friday. With wet weather providing less than ideal field conditions, the Wildcats shouldered through patches of rain showers and constant drizzle to take both games of their series-opening doubleheader with Cal State San Marcos, beating the visiting Cougars 4-0 and 7-2 at University Softball Field.
 
Because of steady rain in Saturday's weather forecast and wanting to get in as many games in the series as possible, the two teams were planning on playing a third game Friday. About 10 minutes after the decision was made, though, a brief but powerful rainstorm immediately scuttled the idea and sent the Wildcats scurrying to roll the protective tarp on the infield.
 
Friday's two wins moved Chico State to 12-6 on the season and 9-5 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State San Marcos saw its current losing streak balloon to 11 straight as the Cougars fell to 4-18 overall and 2-12 in CCAA play.

 

The Wildcats' offense was not affected by the rain Friday, pounding out a combined 19 hits. The production was extremely balanced: Ari Marsh, Alli Cook and Cyrena Taylor collected three hits apiece, with Rachel DeHart, Desiree' Gonzalez, Sarah Galaviz and Brynn Lesovsky all posting two hits on the afternoon.
 
In the pitcher's circle, Brooke Langeloh and Haley Gilham combined to blank San Marcos for 13 straight innings, with both hurlers flirting with no-hitters.
 
In game one of Friday's doubleheader, the Wildcats broke the seal in the bottom of the first inning. Marsh scored all the way from second on a bunt single by DeHart, then Cook came home on Taylor's single through the right side to quickly put Chico State up 2-0.
 
Langeloh was dominant early on, striking out seven in the first three innings and holding San Marcos without a hit until Robin Alvara broke up the no-no with a single to center field in the top of the sixth.
 
The Wildcats provided some insurance with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth Cook led off with a single and eventually scored from third on Taylor's RBI groundout, making it 3-0. In the sixth it was Marsh's turn to provide the RBI groundout, plating Cailin Garmon to put the 'Cats up by four.
 
The Cougars got a pair of runners aboard in the top of the seventh inning, but Langeloh preserved her third shutout of the season by striking out Caylyn Rodriguez to end it, giving Chico State the 4-0 victory.
 
While improving to 7-1 on the season, Langeloh tied her career high with 13 strikeouts. It was also her 27th win as a Wildcat, moving Langeloh past Stacy Lumley and into eighth place on Chico State's career victories list.
 
The 'Cats out swinging in the nightcap. Four batters into the game, Gonzalez doubled home Cook, then later in the first inning Garmon drew a bases-loaded walk to give Chico State a 2-0 lead. Gilham, meanwhile, retired the first 12 San Marcos hitters she faced.
 
The perfect game came to an end in the top of the fifth inning when Alvara again played the spoiler, shooting a clean single through the left side of the infield, but Gilham was able to keep the shutout intact. The Wildcats broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five times: Lesovsky brought home Gonzalez with a single to center, then Gilham knocked in a pair with a single up the middle. Cook and DeHart followed with RBI singles as the 'Cats went up 7-0.
 
The Cougars finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning when Alvara struck again, launching a two-run homer over the left field fence. It was far too little and far too late, though, as Gilham got the final outs needed to lock down the Wildcats' 7-2 win and the doubleheader sweep.
 
Gilham tossed her sixth complete game of the season to earn the win and improve to 4-3 on the season.
 
Chico State and Cal State San Marcos will attempt to wrap up the series Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m., weather and field conditions permitting.