Just two weeks into the season, the Chico State softball team has already proven it can hold its own on the road, winning nine straight games and vaulting to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings. For the first time in 2018, the No. 21 Wildcats get to play in front of the home crowd, as they host Cal State San Marcos this weekend at University Softball Field. The four-game set begins with a doubleheader Friday at 12 p.m., followed by a Saturday twin bill at 11 a.m.
Fans unable to make the games in person can follow the action online with Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
Head Coach Angel Shamblin's squad returns to Chico on the heels of last weekend's four-game sweep of Cal State San Bernardino to open conference play. The Wildcats head into their series with San Marcos in sole possession of first place in the CCAA, one game ahead of San Francisco State.
The 'Cats haven't been using smoke and mirrors to fashion their nine-game winning streak. Chico State has been dominant through the first two weeks of the season, outscoring the opposition 65-8 while leading all 11 CCAA teams in batting (.340), runs, hits (83), home runs (15), extra-base hits (31), slugging percentage (.594) and on-base percentage (.428).
The Chico State pitching staff has been just as effective as the offense, posting a conference-best 0.83 earned run average. Haley Gilham, the winningest pitcher in Wildcat history, is off to a 5-0 start, while reigning CCAA Pitcher of the Week Naomi Monahan is coming off her first career no-hitter.
To top things off, the Wildcats are the top defensive team in the CCAA, sporting a .981 fielding percentage.
Cal State San Marcos comes to Chico with a record of 2-4, while occupying ninth place in the CCAA with a 1-3 conference record. The Cougars opened CCAA play last weekend against San Francisco State, dropping three of four decisions to the Gators.
Despite its sub-.500 record, the Cougars can definitely swing it. San Marcos is second in the CCAA with a .335 team batting average, averaging over nine hits a game. Freshman infielder Jaqlyn Newhouser (.533) is third in the CCAA batting race entering the weekend.
The Cougars have struggled thus far in the pitcher's circle, ranking 10th in the CCAA in team ERA (6.71).
Chico State won three of four against San Marcos last season, with the all-time series between the two teams tied at five wins apiece.
Before the start of Saturday's doubleheader, Chico State will present the first of several pre-game ceremonies planned throughout the season to celebrate the softball program's 50th anniversary. Players from the first decade of Wildcat softball, spanning 1969–79, will be honored just prior to game one's first pitch.
