SAN FRANCISCO—It took exactly one day for the Chico State softball team to rebound from Tuesday's doubleheader loss to host San Francisco State. The No. 7 Wildcats returned the favor Wednesday in the series-ending twin bill, but it wasn't exactly a cakewalk. A grand slam by Haley Gilham in the seventh inning accounted for all the runs in the 'Cats 4-2 game one victory, then in the nightcap Chico State scored two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to post a 9-6 victory and earn a split of the four-game set.
With the doubleheader sweep, the Wildcats improved to 17-4 on the season and 12-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). San Francisco State slipped to 8-16 overall and 7-13 in CCAA play.
Chico State collected 15 hits on the afternoon. Gilham racked up three hits—two for extra bases—while Ari Marsh collected two safeties and knocked in four runs. Megan Bowley, Olivia Dallara and Lorren Sharp also had two hits for the victorious Wildcats.
In game one of Wednesday's doubleheader, runs were non-existent through the first six innings, as Gilham and San Francisco State pitcher Megan Clark matched each other zero for zero. Both teams squandered scoring chances—Chico State had runners at second and third in the top of the fourth, only to see the rally short-circuited by an inning-ending double play. In the bottom of the fifth, Gilham had to wiggle out of a first and third jam to keep the contest scoreless.
The Wildcats finally broke the seal in the top of the seventh inning. Bowley reached base on a Gators' error, Mya Reynolds singled and Rachel DeHart was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Gilham stepped to the plate and bombed a home run to left-center field—the grand slam giving Chico State a 4-0 lead.
The game was far from over, though. In the bottom of the seventh San Francisco State scored twice and had the potential tying run on base when Gilham got Clark to ground out to end the ballgame and lock down the 'Cats' 4-2 win.
Gilham allowed no earned runs in recording her 10th complete game of the season and raising her record to 9-2. Now with 42 career victories, Gilham moves into a tie for second place on Chico State's all-time wins list.
San Francisco State drew first blood in the nightcap, scoring a run off Wildcats' starter Samantha Mulock in the bottom of the first inning. In the top of the third, Chico State jumped on top when Bowley singled home Marsh and later scored on a Gilham double to left-center. The 'Cats extended their advantage in the top of the fourth inning when Marsh delivered an RBI single, plating DeHart and Briana Contreras to give Chico State a 4-1 lead.
The Gators came roaring back, cutting the deficit to one with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, then with two outs in the fifth an RBI single by Kasie Trezona and a two-run double by Delanie Chrisman put San Francisco State in front 6-4.
The lead didn't last long, as Marsh came through with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the sixth inning to get Chico State even.
In the seventh the Wildcats scored what turned out to be the game-winning runs. Back-to-back Bowley and Gilham singles and a walk to DeHart loaded the bases, setting the stage for Sharp, whose base hit to left plated a pair and put Chico State on top. A Gators error on a Contreras grounder allowed DeHart to come home, pushing the 'Cats' lead to three.
Mulock went back out to the pitcher's circle and took care of business in the bottom of the seventh, inducing a double play grounder to end the game and give Chico State the 9-6 victory, the doubleheader sweep and the series split.
Mulock allowed just two earned runs in going the distance and improving her season record to 6-2.
Chico State is back in action early next week to make up another rained out series from earlier this season. The Wildcats travel to Arcata to take on the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, Humboldt State, in a four-game series with doubleheaders scheduled Tuesday at 12 noon and Wednesday at 11 a.m.
