The Chico State softball team successfully wrapped up its four-game set with Cal State San Bernardino Monday, taking both ends of the series-ending doubleheader at University Softball Field. Haley Gilham set the tone in the opener both with the bat and in the pitcher's circle in the 'Cats' 2-1 victory over the Coyotes, then in the nightcap the Wildcats combined several sparkling defensive plays with a 10-hit attack to sweep the twin bill 4-0.

 

The two wins boosted Chico State's season record to 20-5 and moved the Wildcats into a tie with Sonoma State for third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings with a 15-5 conference mark. Cal State San Bernardino slipped to 18-14 overall and 13-11 in CCAA play.
 
The Wildcats collected 15 hits on the day, with Gilham, Kristin Worley, Rachel DeHart, Lorren Sharp and Briana Contreras picking up two safeties apiece.
 
The biggest and loudest of those 15 hits came in the first game off the bat of Gilham. Locked into another pitcher's duel with San Bernardino's Cassandra Williams, Gilham took it upon herself to break the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning—with two outs and Worley aboard, Gilham turned on an inside fastball and lined it over the left field fence, giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.
 
A Chico State error led to what turned out to be the Coyotes' lone run of the day, slicing the Wildcats' lead in half. Gilham saw to it there was no last-inning drama, though, retiring San Bernardino in order in the top of the seventh to lock down the 2-1 win.
 
Gilham allowed just a fourth inning single in going the distance for the 12th time this year while raising her season record to 11-2 and lowering her earned run average to a CCAA-best 0.87.

 

In the nightcap Wildcats starting pitcher Samantha Mulock kept the Coyotes off the scoreboard by wiggling out of several early-inning jams, aided by some outstanding defensive efforts. In the second inning first baseman Olivia Dallara snared a line drive off the bat Amanda Herrera, then alertly dove to the bag to double off baserunner Ashley Laffingwell. One batter later, Ari Marsh made a spectacular diving catch in right field to rob Jessica Angulo of extra bases.
 
In the top of the third inning, Mulock got out of a second and third situation to keep the game scoreless, and was rewarded in the bottom of the frame when Megan Bowley plated Worley from third on a sacrifice fly to left.
 
The 'Cats extended their advantage in the bottom of the fourth—DeHart scored from second on a San Bernardino error, then later in the frame Marsh singled home Contreras to put Chico State up 3-0.
 
Chico State wasn't out of the woods yet. The Coyotes put two aboard in the fifth before coming away empty, then loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the sixth. Gilham was summoned from the Wildcat bullpen and promptly struck out pinch hitter Caitlyn Olan to end the scoring threat.
 
The 'Cats posted an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Contreras came home on a pinch-hit RBI single by Claire Wayne. In the seventh Dallara turned another unassisted double play at first, then Gilham got Jessica Brown to ground out to third base to end it, giving Chico State the 4-0 win, the doubleheader sweep and the series win.
 
Mulock pitched five-and-two-thirds shutout innings to pick up the win and improve to 7-3 on the season, with Gilham notching her first save of the year.
 
Chico State is back in action this weekend, taking part in the annual Tournament of Champions at Pedretti Park in Turlock. The Wildcats will play six games in three days, starting with a 2 p.m. tilt Friday against Notre Dame de Namur, followed by a 4:30 clash later that afternoon versus Hawai'i Hilo.