TURLOCK—Thanks to a mid-afternoon rainstorm that hit Central California Saturday, the second day of the Tournament of Champions saw several contests cancelled and many teams having to wait until evening to get in even one game. The Chico State softball team, originally scheduled to play games at 4:30 and 7 p.m., didn't get on the field until after 8 p.m., but the day-long wait didn't seem to faze the No. 3 Wildcats, which unleashed a 13-hit attack and needed just six innings to defeat Montana State Billings 9-1 at the Pedretti Sports Complex in Turlock.
 
With Saturday's victory, Chico State won for the 10th time in its last 11 games to improve to 29-3 on the season.
 
The Wildcats' offense was led Wendy Cardinali, who was a perfect 3-for-3 on the evening and scored four runs. Ari Marsh, Cyrena Taylor and Bailey Akins all delivered two hits apiece as Chico State pushed its team batting average to .316 on the year.
 

The Wildcats jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first inning, as Cardinali doubled, advanced to third on a bunt single by Kristin Worley, and scored on a throwing error when Worley stole second base. Akins then chased Worley home with a two-out single up the middle to put Chico State up 2-0.
 
The top of the 'Cats lineup added another run in the bottom of the third. Cardinali led off the frame with a triple and scored on Worley's sacrifice bunt, extending Chico State's advantage to 3-0.
 
Montana State Billings got the run back in the top of the fourth inning, but the Wildcats answered with a crooked number in the bottom of the fifth. Cardinali walked, advanced to second on a base hit by Marsh and scored on an Akins single to left. Karli Skowrup followed with a double down the left field line to plate both Marsh and Akins, pushing Chico State's lead to 6-1.
 
The Wildcats salted the game away with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Amanda Flores singled and came around to score courtesy of a sacrifice bunt, wild pitch and a Yellowjackets error. Marsh reached on an infield single, setting the stage for Taylor, who ended the contest with a two-run single, giving the 'Cats the 9-1 win.
 
Gilham turned in another solid outing in the pitcher's circle, allowing just three hits and striking out six to record her 14th complete game of the year and raise her season record to 14-2.  
 
Chico State concludes the Tournament of Champions with a pair of games Sunday. The Wildcats take on Simon Fraser (11-7) at 11:30 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. matchup with Western Oregon (14-13). Both games will be played at the Pedretti Sports Complex.