LAS VEGAS—There's something about Las Vegas that brings out the best in the Chico State softball team. Last season, the Wildcats won all five games in their first trip to the Desert Stinger Classic, and exactly one year later repeated the feat—and even going one step further. The 'Cats were named the 2018 Desert Stinger champions Sunday after steamrolling Concordia (Oregon) 13-2 at the Majestic Park softball complex.
The Wildcats were one of three undefeated teams among the field of 28, and posted the best overall tournament score at plus-30 over their five games to claim the Desert Stinger crown. Chico State, which is a perfect 10-0 in Desert Stinger games dating back to last year, is the ninth different team to take top honors at the tournament.
Shortstop Wendy Cardinali was named the Desert Stinger Classic Most Valuable Player, batting .500 over the five games with five extra-base hits, eight runs scored and seven runs batted in, while posting a 1.214 slugging percentage and .611 on-base percentage.
Cardinali and Wildcat teammate Haley Gilham were both named to the Desert Stinger All-Tournament Team.
Chico State put the finishing touches on its 5-0 weekend by pounding out a dozen hits Sunday and taking advantage of four Concordia errors in the one-sided win. The evenly-distributed Wildcats offense was led by Kristin Worley and Reilani Peleti with two hits apiece.
Gilham started in the pitcher's circle and got credit for the win, giving her 59 for her Chico State career. She is now tied with Katie Stokx for the most victories in the program's 50-year history.
The 'Cats put a crooked number on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Cardinali led off the game with a walk, advanced to third on a bunt single by Worley and scored on a passed ball. Worley came home on a Concordia error, and later in the frame Ari Marsh scored from third on a wild pitch to put Chico State in front 3-0.
The Cavaliers answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning, but the Wildcats got one back in the top of the second when Cardinali singled home Peleti to make the score 4-2.
Chico State blew the game open in the top of the third inning, plating six runs. With Bailey Akins and Claire Wayne aboard, Peleti smashed her first home run as a Wildcat, a three-run blast to center field. The 'Cats were far from done—Breanna Martin was hit by a pitch and eventually scored from third on a passed ball; Cardinali scored on a Concordia error, and Worley came home on the front end of a double steal. When the dust had finally settled and the third out of the inning was recorded, Chico State held a commanding 10-2 lead.
In the top of the fourth the Wildcats extended their advantage to 11-2 when Amanda Flores doubled and scored on a double by Sara Mitrano. Chico State tacked on two more runs in the fifth, as Mitrano plated Cyrena Taylor on a sacrifice fly, with Karli Skowrup scoring on a passed ball.
Naomi Monahan took over for Gilham in the pitcher's circle and allowed just one hit in two-and-a-third innings of scoreless relief to pick up her first save of the year and lock down the Wildcats' 13-2 victory.
Chico State jumps right into California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play next weekend, traveling down to Southern California to take on Cal State San Bernardino, which also went 5-0 at the Desert Stinger Classic. The Wildcats and Coyotes begin the four-game series with a doubleheader Friday beginning at 12 noon, followed by a Saturday twin bill at 10:30 a.m.
