After scoring a combined eight runs in Friday's series-opening doubleheader, the Chico State and UC San Diego softball teams found that runs were even harder to come by in Saturday's twin bill that closed out the four-game set. Fortunately for the Wildcats, they generated all the offense on the day, and behind outstanding pitching performances by Haley Gilham and Samantha Mulock downed the Tritons 3-0 and 2-0 to sweep the double dip and salvage a series split at University Softball Stadium.
The two wins moved Chico State—ranked 13th in the nation—to 31-10 overall and into third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 21-9 conference mark. UC San Diego slipped to 23-21 on the season and 14-18 in CCAA play.
Saturday's victories also added to head coach Angel Shamblin's total of 30-win seasons at Chico State. Since taking over the program in 2010, Shamblin's Wildcat teams have recorded 30 or more wins in five of her eight seasons at the helm.
The 'Cats cranked out a combined 10 hits in Saturday's doubleheader, with Olivia Dallara accounting for three safeties. Ari Marsh, who delivered the game-winning knock in game two, had a pair of hits on the day.
In Saturday's opening contest, UC San Diego put runners at third base in both the first and second innings, but both times Gilham was able to work out of the jams unscathed. The 'Cats stranded a pair of runners against Tritons starting pitcher Lauren Brown in the bottom of the third, then in the top of the fourth UC San Diego put two runners in scoring position with one out, only to see Gilham once again wiggle out of trouble.
The Wildcats finally broke the seal in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Gilham and Mya Reynolds provided back-to-back two-out RBI singles. Chico State added to its lead in the fifth when Kristin Worley scored on a Dallara single up the middle, giving the Wildcats a 3-0 lead.
That would be more than enough offense for Gilham, who set down UC San Diego in order in both the sixth and seventh innings to lock down the 3-0 victory. Gilham's CCAA-leading ninth shutout of the year raised her record to 18-4, setting a new personal record for victories in a single season.
Saturday's second game began as a dandy pitcher's duel between starters Mulock for Chico State and the Tritons' Lizzy Beutter. The Wildcats could muster just one hit—a Dallara double to center—through the first five innings, while Mulock allowed just two Triton runners past first base through the first six frames.
The 'Cats plated what proved to be the only runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners at second and third, Marsh lashed a line single to center to chase home Worley and Cailin Garmon, putting Chico State on top 2-0.
The Wildcats were able to make the two-run advantage stand, but not without some seventh inning drama. Mulock walked the leadoff hitter, then Gilham, summoned from the Chico State bullpen, gave up a base hit. UC San Diego suddenly had the potential tying runs aboard, but consecutive fielder's choice grounders cut down the lead runners—one at the plate—and Gilham finished things off by striking out pinch-hitter Kristyana Boghossian to give the Wildcats the 2-0 victory, the doubleheader sweep and the series split.
Mulock allowed just two hits in six-plus innings to earn the win and improve to 10-5 on the year. Gilham recorded her second save of the season.
Chico State is back in action next weekend in the team's final regular season road series. The Wildcats will take on CCAA leader Cal State Monterey Bay in a four-game set, with doubleheaders scheduled Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m.
