Fans who made it out to University Softball Field Friday and braved the cold weather conditions saw a little bit of everything in Chico State's series-opening doubleheader against Cal State East Bay—including a historical achievement. The No. 8 Wildcats needed eight innings to nip the visiting Pioneers 1-0 in the opener of the twin bill, then rode home runs by Claire Wayne and Cyrena Taylor to roll to a 10-1 victory in the nightcap, extending Chico State's winning streak to a school-record 15 straight.
The Wildcats improved to 15-0 overall and stayed atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings with a 10-0 conference mark. Cal State East Bay dropped to 8-8 on the season and 4-6 in CCAA play.
Chico State's pitching staff, which began the weekend ranked No. 2 in all of Division II with a 0.64 team earned run average, was superb again Friday, holding East Bay to just one run and seven hits in 13 innings. Haley Gilham, the reigning D-II National Pitcher of the Week, tossed eight innings of shutout ball to improve to 8-0 on the year and drop her ERA to a miniscule 0.53.
Offensively, the 'Cats were led by Taylor, who picked up three hits in the doubleheader while driving in three runs. Wayne, Karli Skowrup and Megan Bowley also enjoyed multi-hit days as Chico State chalked up 13 safeties on the day.
In Friday's opener, Chico State had several opportunities to get on the board, but left 15 runners aboard—eight in scoring position. Both teams squandered a chance to score in the second inning: East Bay put runners at second and third with one out, but Gilham was able to wiggle out of the jam. In the bottom of the frame, the Wildcats loaded the bases, but Pioneers pitcher Abby Greer struck out Kristin Worley to end the threat.
Gilham kept East Bay's offense in check the rest of the way, allowing just three batters to reach base with no one reaching second base. But as well as she performed in the circle, it was what she did at the plate that got the Wildcats the win.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Wendy Cardinali walked and advanced to second when Worley reached on a Pioneers error. Ari Marsh's sacrifice bunt put them into scoring position. Gilham then came to the plate as a pinch-hitter, and in her first at-bat of the season, delivered a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Cardinali and give the Wildcats the exciting 1-0 victory.
In the nightcap, Chico State took command right away, sending 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and putting a snowman up on the scoreboard. With Cardinali and Worley aboard, Wayne launched her fourth home run of the season over the center field fence, putting the 'Cats up 3-0. Bailey Akins followed with a single, setting the stage for Taylor, who blasted her first big fly of the year to right. Later in the frame the Wildcats loaded the bases, and wild pitches plated Bowley, Cardinali and Reilani Peleti to extend Chico State's lead to 8-0.
That was more than enough offense for Wildcats' starting pitcher Naomi Monahan, who allowed just three hits and a second inning run through four frames, striking out a season-high seven batters.
Chico State put it away in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sara Mitrano led off with a double and scored when the Pioneers mishandled Skowrup's single to center. Two batters later, Taylor blooped a double to right to cash in Skowrup. Sam Mulock took over in the pitcher's circle for the 'Cats and tossed a 1-2-3 fifth inning to put the finishing touches on the Wildcats' 10-1 win and the doubleheader sweep.
Monahan earned the victory to improve to 5-0 on the year.
The Wildcats and Pioneers complete the four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. Before the start of the twin bill, Chico State will present the second of several pre-game ceremonies planned throughout the season to celebrate the softball program's 50th anniversary. Players spanning the 1980's will be honored just prior to game one's first pitch.
