SAN MARCOS—The Chico State softball team entered its four-game set with Cal State San Marcos as one of the top hitting lineups in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Against Cal State San Marcos, though, the offense was unusually quiet—the Wildcats did just enough to sweep Friday's series-opening doubleheader, but Saturday the offense generated just a run on six hits the entire afternoon. The 'Cats were still able to earn a split of the twin bill, beating the Cougars 1-0 in game one before falling in the nightcap 5-0.
The doubleheader split gave Chico State a three games to one series win over Cal State San Marcos. The Wildcats are now 28-7 on the season and remain in second place in the CCAA with an 18-6 conference record. With the game two victory, Cal State San Marcos halted its losing streak at 18 straight to improve to 8-29 on the year and 7-21 in CCAA play.
Megan Bowley was the lone Wildcat with multiple hits on the day, thanks to a 2-for-3 effort in the second game of the doubleheader.
In game one of Saturday's double dip, Chico State pitcher Haley Gilham was tested early by San Marcos but kept the Cougars off the scoreboard thanks to a pair Wildcat double plays in the first two innings. The 'Cats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Cailin Garmon reached base on a two-out error, stole second and third—the first swipe setting a new Chico State single-season stolen base record—and scored on Kristin Worley's single through the left side.
Chico State loaded the bases without the benefit of a hit in the top of the fifth inning, but could not add to its lead. San Marcos put the potential tying run aboard in the bottom of the fifth, but a strike-'em out, throw-'em-out double play by the Wildcats ended the threat and the inning.
The 'Cats were still clinging to their slim lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out, San Marcos got the tying run on base, but Gilham induced a fielder's choice grounder and a comebacker to the pitcher's circle to end the game and give Chico State the hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Gilham allowed just five hits and struck out five to earn the win and improve to 16-2 on the year. Gilham's second straight shutout lowered her season earned run average to 0.81.
The nightcap saw San Marcos load the bases in the bottom of the first, but Wildcat starting pitcher Samantha Mulock emerged unscathed courtesy of an inning-ending double play. She wasn't as luck in the second, as the Cougars plated a run to take a 1-0 lead.
San Marcos added two more runs in the bottom of the third. It looked like Chico State would immediately answer, using singles by Bowley and Lorren Sharp and a Karli Skowrup hit by pitch to load the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning, but the 'Cats failed to plate a run and the Cougars held on to their 3-0 lead.
San Marcos added a pair of runs off Wildcat reliever Lynea Klemmedson in the bottom of the fifth inning to essentially put the game out of reach. Save for a pinch-hit single in the seventh by Mia Quintero, Chico State could not generate any type of offense against Cougars starting pitcher Ashley Dagenais, and San Marcos avoided the series sweep with the 5-0 victory.
The Wildcats barely have time to catch their breath before they return to action Monday and Tuesday, traveling to Arcata for a four-game series with No. 1 ranked Humboldt State. Doubleheaders are scheduled for 11 a.m. both days at McKinleyville High School.
