The Chico State softball team has gotten off to a terrific start in 2017, winning eight of its first nine games, earning the No. 9 ranking in the nation and kicking off California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play last weekend with a series victory over Cal State East Bay. The Wildcats now take their successful show to Southern California, where they'll take on Cal State Dominguez Hills in a four-game series at Toro Diamond in Carson.
 
Fans can keep up with the action on the Internet with Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video will also be available online.
 
Chico State currently resides in a tie for fourth place in the CCAA standings, thanks to taking three of four from Cal State East Bay last Friday and Saturday. Before falling to the Pioneers in the nightcap of Saturday's series-ending doubleheader, the Wildcats had won eight consecutive games—the longest winning streak of any Chico State softball team to open the season since the 1978 'Cats won 14 straight to begin the year.
 
As a team, Chico State is hitting .298 on the season, averaging 5.7 runs and eight hits a game. The Wildcats' pitching staff is ranked third among the 11 CCAA teams with an earned run average of 2.00.
 
Individually, Cailin Garmon leads the CCAA with 17 stolen bases, and ranks second in the conference in runs scored (16), fifth in batting (.484) and sixth in on-base percentage (.543).
 
Ari Marsh's .464 batting average is sixth among CCAA hitters, while Megan Bowley is seventh in the conference with four doubles on the year.
 
In the pitcher's circle, Haley Gilham is tied for the CCAA lead in shutouts (2), is second in wins (5) and ERA (0.64), fourth in strikeouts (26) and fifth in opponent's batting average (.215).
 
Cal State Dominguez Hills enters the weekend 1-12 on the season and in last place in the CCAA with an 0-8 conference record. The Toros have struggled since beating Concordia (Calif.) in the Desert Stinger Tournament back on February 4. Dominguez Hills last dropped its last 10 decisions, and last weekend were swept in a four-game series by Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
The Toros are batting a collective .272 on the young season, averaging 3.1 runs and 6.8 hits a game. The Dominguez Hills pitching staff is still trying to put things together—the Toros' team ERA is 10.64.
 
Madison Murphy has been the most productive Dominguez Hills player thus far. The senior outfielder tops the Toros in batting (.364) and runs batted in (9), and is tied with sophomore first baseman/outfielder Lyzette Reveles for the team home run lead (2). Reveles is batting a healthy .316 on the season.
 
Last season, Chico State swept a four-game series with Dominguez Hills April 8-9 at University Softball Field. The Wildcats have won the last 11 meetings with the Toros, and since 1983 lead the all-time series 49-42.