Box Score ARCATA – With all the successes the Chico State softball team enjoyed in 2016, it's a shame the season had to end on a disappointing note. The Wildcats, needing two wins Saturday to advance to the NCAA West Super Regional, were eliminated from postseason play as the Humboldt State Lumberjacks defeated the 'Cats 5-0 at HSU Softball Field.
Chico State finishes the season 40-16 overall. Among the season's high points: the Wildcats became just the second team in the program's 48-year history to earn 40 victories in a season, won a school-record 14 straight games, were nationally-ranked through most of the campaign, and reached the postseason for the fifth time since 2010.
Saturday's contest saw Humboldt State's offense click almost immediately. The Lumberjacks stranded runners at the corners in the bottom of the first inning, but struck in the second: Sydney Roberts put Humboldt State on the board, knocking in Kalyn Paque with a double to center and later in the frame scored on a base hit by Hanna Holland to give the 'Jacks a 2-0 lead.
Lumberjacks starting pitcher Madison Williams retired the first eight Wildcats she faced until Cailin Garmon reached on an infield single in the top of the third inning. Garmon stole second base and went to third on a wild pitch, but Williams struck out Ari Marsh to end the 'Cats' scoring threat.
Humboldt State extended its advantage in the bottom of the third when Roberts was hit by a Haley Gilham pitch with the bases loaded.
Gilham was able to keep the Lumberjacks in check in the fourth and fifth innings, but Chico State's offense could not get untracked to mount a comeback. Williams allowed a two-out single to Desiree' Gonzalez in the fourth inning and a base hit to Sarah Galaviz in the fifth and retired the 'Cats in order in the top of the sixth.
Humboldt State added to its lead in the bottom of the sixth when Cyndi Chavez scored from third on a Tiffany Hollingsworth sacrifice fly and Breonna Bejaran singled home Holland to make it a 5-0 game.
Williams took care of the rest, retiring Gonzalez, Cyrena Taylor and Megan Bowley in the top of the seventh to lock down the Lumberjacks' 5-0 victory, sending Humboldt State to the NCAA West Super Regional and end the Wildcats' season.
