Neither the Chico State or UC San Diego softball teams could generate a whole lot of offense Friday in their series-opening doubleheader at University Softball Field. The Tritons, however, were able to squeeze just a shade more run production out of their lineup, and the result was two close victories and a doubleheader sweep over the No. 13 Wildcats. UC San Diego edged the 'Cats 2-1 in the first game of the twin bill, then held on to register a 3-2 win in the nightcap.
 
With the doubleheader loss, Chico State has dropped three straight and four of its last five to slip to 29-10 overall and into fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 19-9 conference mark. Friday's two wins improved UC San Diego's season record to 23-19 and 14-16 in CCAA play.
 
Chico State punched out a dozen total hits, with Ari Marsh racking up three safeties on the day, while Cailin Garmon and Kristin Worley each had two hits apiece. The Wildcats had several chances to score, but stranded 10 runners on base and had two thrown out at the plate.
 
In game one of Friday's double dip, UC San Diego went up 1-0 in the top of the third inning when Kelsi Maday delivered an RBI single to left field. In the bottom of the frame the Wildcats pulled even when Garmon's one-out single cashed in Mya Reynolds' leadoff double. Garmon immediately stole second, but was thrown out trying to score on a base hit by Marsh, ending the inning.
 
The contest stayed deadlocked until the Tritons pushed across what proved to be the game-winning run in the top of the sixth inning. Following a base hit by Lauren Sanders, pinch runner Danielle Stedman stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home on a Caitlyn Weisner groundout.
 
UC San Diego relief pitcher Milana Casillas made the razor-thin lead stand up. Chico State got the potential tying run into scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings, but couldn't muster the clutch hit needed to tie the score, and the Tritons were able to come away with the 2-1 win.
 
Haley Gilham allowed just six hits and struck out five in going the distance in the pitcher's circle for the Wildcats, but was the hard-luck loser to drop to 17-4 on the year.
 
The Tritons bunched together three hits and took advantage of a Wildcat error to jump out in front with three second inning runs in the nightcap. For the first five frames, Chico State's offense could do little against UC San Diego starting pitcher Lizzy Buetter, who allowed just one hit and retired 13 straight batters during that stretch.
 
The Wildcats finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning, and it took just one swing from Karli Skowrup to make it a one-run game. After Amanda Flores led off the frame with a pinch-hit single, Skowrup ripped the first home run of her Chico State career, lining the ball over the left field fence to pull the 'Cats to within 3-2.
 
Later in the frame singles by Worley and Marsh put the tying run in scoring position. Megan Bowley followed with a line single to left, but Kendall Baker threw Worley out at the plate for the final out of the inning, allowing UC San Diego to hang on to its slim advantage. That would turn out to be the Wildcats' last gasp, as they went out in order in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Tritons the 3-2 win and the doubleheader sweep.       
 
The Wildcats and Tritons conclude their four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at University Softball Field.