The weekend forecast is calling for a touch of precipitation, but no matter how much wet weather Mother Nature plans to provide, the Chico State softball team—already rained out once this week—is determined to get its series in against Cal State San Bernardino. The Wildcats and Coyotes tangle in a big four-game series at University Softball Field, with doubleheaders scheduled Sunday at 12 noon and Monday at 11 a.m.
Fans unable to attend the series in person can keep up with the action on the Internet with Live Stats via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video will also be available, weather permitting.
When the Wildcats take the field Sunday, it will be the first time in 11 days that Head Coach Angel Shamblin's squad has seen game action. Following a series split at San Francisco State March 14-15, the 'Cats have been idle since their re-scheduled four-game set against Humboldt State was washed out earlier this week.
Chico State, 17-4 overall, enters the weekend ranked No. 7 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) top 25 poll.
In the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), things are bunched up at the top of the standings, with just three games separating first from fifth place. Chico State currently sits in fourth place with a 12-4 conference record, with Cal State San Bernardino right behind in fifth place with a 12-8 mark.
Overall, the Coyotes are 17-11 and have won five of their last six, including three over then-No. 1 Humboldt State.
Needless to say, this series is important to both the Wildcats and Coyotes as each team tries to bolster its chances of securing one of the four CCAA Championship Tournament berths.
Statistically, Chico State and San Bernardino are evenly matched. The Wildcats are batting .329 as a team, averaging just under six runs and nine hits a game. The Coyotes' offense is hitting a collective .296 while averaging a little over four runs and eight hits a contest.
Chico State and San Bernardino boast the top two pitching staffs in the CCAA. The Wildcats lead the conference with a team earned run average of 1.79, while the Coyotes are second in ERA (2.03) and third in strikeouts (95).
Last season, the Wildcats swept a four-game series March 11-12 in San Bernardino. Since 1983, however, the Coyotes hold the edge, winning 41 of 79 meetings with the 'Cats.
