Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 STOCKTON – For the first time in the program's history, the Chico State softball team will play Sunday for the CCAA Championship Tournament title. The Wildcats, after dropping a 7-5 decision to UC San Diego in Saturday's winner's bracket game, came back later in the day to edge Sonoma State 6-4 to eliminate the Seawolves and stay alive in the double-elimination tournament. The 'Cats will get a return matchup with UC San Diego Sunday morning at 10 a.m. in the tournament finals. Chico State must beat the Tritons twice to claim the championship banner and the conference's automatic bid to next week's NCAA Championship Tournament.

With a split of their two Saturday contests, the Wildcats move to 38-13 on the year and 2-1 in postseason play.

Desiree' Gonzalez and Brooke Langeloh both homered and drove in two runs against the Seawolves Saturday, with Langeloh combining with Haley Gilham to pitch the 'Cats to victory. Langeloh got credit for the win to improve to 20-4 on the season, with Gilham recording her third save of the campaign.

The Wildcats pounded out 11 hits in the win, with Gonzalez going 3-for-4 and Langeloh and Sarah Galaviz picking up two hits apiece.
 
Chico State roared out to a big lead in the top of the first inning against Sonoma State. With two out and Alli Cook aboard, Gonzalez went yard for the sixth time this season, clearing the center field fence to put the Wildcats on top 2-0. Later in the frame Langeloh singled home Cyrena Taylor, Rachel DeHart scored on a bunt single by Galaviz, then Garmon plated Langeloh on a bunt single to make it a 5-0 ballgame.
 
The Seawolves got a run back in the bottom of the first, but in the top of the third inning Langeloh helped her own cause with a solo homer to left field, giving Chico State a 6-1 lead.
 
In the circle, Langeloh survived some early control problems and was cruising into the bottom of the fifth inning. After giving up a two-out RBI single to Jena Kaser, Langeloh gave way to Gilham, who promptly issued back-to-back bases-loaded walks to bring Sonoma State to within 6-4.
 
Gilham had to work out a jam in the bottom of the sixth, as the Seawolves got the first two batters aboard. But with the potential tying run on base, Gilham retired the next three hitters to maintain the 'Cats' two-run lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Gilham took care of the first two hitters, but then gave up a base hit to Malory Masajlo. The Seawolves' comeback hopes were dashed when Gilham struck out Alison Strycula looking to end it, giving Chico State the 6-4 victory and a date with UC San Diego on Sunday.  
 
Against UC San Diego Saturday, Chico State let a pair of two-run leads get away, but battled to the end, leaving the bases loaded – with the potential tying run in scoring position.
 
The Wildcats jumped out to a first inning lead with a little help from the Tritons. A leadoff double by Ari Marsh and walks to Alli Cook and Gonzalez loaded the bases, then Taylor was hit by a pitch and Gilham walked to force home both Marsh and Cook to put the 'Cats in front 2-0.
 
UC San Diego answered with a run in the top of the second inning, then tied the game with a Emily Sklencar home run in the third. The Wildcats went back in front in the bottom of the fourth when DeHart scored from third on a Tritons throwing error trying to gun down Cailin Garmon on a steal attempt.
 
In the bottom of the fifth Chico State loaded the bases with nobody out and went up 4-2 when Langeloh was hit by a pitch, forcing home Lesovsky.
 
UC San Diego put together its winning rally in the top of the sixth inning, scoring all five runs with two outs. Taylor Abeyta's RBI single knocked in McKenna Clewett, then Kelsi Maday delivered the knockout punch with a grand slam over the left-center field fence, giving the Tritons a 7-4 lead.
 
Chico State threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one out. Lesovsky scored when DeHart reached on an error, but the potential tying runs were left stranded when Tritons relief pitcher struck out Galaviz and got Garmon to fly out to right to end it, giving UC San Diego the 7-5 victory.
 
Garmon had two of the Wildcats' eight hits in the contest. Langeloh, in relief of Gilham, was saddled with the loss.