Nearly 40 games into the 2016 season, the Chico State softball team is playing with the utmost in confidence. And why not? The Wildcats have been productive at the plate, delivering on defense and dominant in the pitcher's circle for the better part of a month, and they showed no signs of slowing down Friday, rapping out 29 hits on the day and winning both ends of their series-opening doubleheader with Cal State Dominguez Hills 9-1 and 10-2 at University Softball Field.
 
Chico State extended its season-best winning streak to 10 straight to improve to 28-10 overall and 19-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The two Friday losses dropped Cal State Dominguez Hills to 13-30 on the year and 6-24 in conference play.

 

No less than 10 Wildcats enjoyed a multi-hit day Friday. Desiree' Gonzalez led the way with four hits, while Ari Marsh, Alli Cook, Rachel DeHart, Cyrena Taylor and Sarah Galaviz collected three safeties apiece. Brynn Lesovsky, Briana Contreras, Karli Skowrup and Haley Gilham each had two hits. Taylor was Chico State's top run producer, driving in five on the afternoon – all coming in the nightcap.
 
In the first game of the doubleheader, the 'Cats staked Brooke Langeloh to an early lead by plating four first inning runs – Gonzalez started the scoring with an RBI double to drive in Marsh. Cook would later come home on a wild pitch, followed by an RBI double by Lesovsky. Contreras capped the inning with a base hit to knock in Lesovsky to make the score 4-0.
 
Chico State added a run in the bottom of the second inning when Galaviz stole third base and came home when Dominguez Hills catcher Renee Galindo's throw sailed into left field. Back-to-back RBI singles by Skowrup and Megan Bowley in the bottom of the third extended the Wildcats' advantage to 7-0.
 
Langeloh allowed just two baserunners through the first five innings and took a no-hitter into the sixth when the Toros broke through for a run, but Chico State ended the proceedings in the bottom of the frame when Gonzalez doubled home DeHart and scored on a Skowrup single to give the Wildcats the 9-1 victory.
 
Langeloh struck out 10 and tossed her 11th complete game of the season, raising her overall record to 15-1.
 
The 'Cats picked up where they left off in the second game of the twinbill, going up 2-0 in the bottom of the first when Taylor singled home Gonzalez and Lesovsky. In the second Marsh delivered a two-out RBI double to give Chico State a 3-0 lead.
 
Gilham set down the first 12 Dominguez Hills hitters she faced, but in the top of the fifth inning the Toros plated a pair of runs to climb back into the contest. It was still a 3-2 game heading into the bottom of the sixth the Wildcats exploded for seven runs – Marsh came through with another RBI double; Taylor soon followed with a three-run double; Gilham singled home a run and came home on a DeHart triple to right-center. Galaviz provided the final blow with a base hit to right to plate DeHart, giving Chico State the 10-2 win and the doubleheader sweep.
 
Gilham went the distance for the 13th time this season to earn the win and improve to 12-7 overall.
 
Chico State and Cal State Dominguez Hills wrap up their four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m., weather permitting.