TURLOCK—The Chico State softball team found out Sunday that all good things must come to an end. The Wildcats fell out of the ranks of the undefeated in their series-opening doubleheader against Stanislaus State, bowing to the host Warriors 4-0 in the opener. The 'Cats didn't dwell on their first loss of the season for long, though, coming back in the nightcap to grab a 2-1 win and earn a split of the twin bill at Warrior Field in Turlock.
Chico State, ranked No. 7 in the nation, stands at 18-1 on the season and 13-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), maintaining its three-game conference lead over second place Sonoma State. Stanislaus State improved to 9-6 overall and 5-3 in CCAA play.
Offense was in short supply Sunday as both the Chico State and Stanislaus State pitching staffs brought out their "A" game. The Wildcats were held to just seven total hits, with no player producing more than one safety on the day.
Not only did the 'Cats lose for the first time this season in the opener, they were within three outs of being no-hit by Warriors starting pitcher Megan Stacy. Wendy Cardinali walked to start the game but was stranded at second base in the top of the first inning, then following a second inning free pass issued to Bailey Akins, Stacy proceeded to set down the next 11 Wildcat batters in order.
Stanislaus State staked Stacy to an early lead, reaching Chico State starter Haley Gilham for four hits and two runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Warriors went up 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth when Aliyah Garvin delivered a two-out, two-run double.
Stacy's no-hit bid ended without a lot of drama in the top of the seventh when Claire Wayne led off the inning with a double to right-center field. But would be all the Wildcats could muster, as Stacy retired the next three 'Cats in order to lock down Stanislaus State's 4-0 victory.
Gilham struck out six in recording her ninth complete game of the season, but took the loss to fall to 9-1 on the year.
In the nightcap, the Wildcats grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when Ari Marsh doubled home Kristin Worley. In the top of the fifth Raelani Peleti was doubled to third by Cardinali and later scored on a passed ball to put Chico State in front 2-0.
Wildcats starting pitcher Naomi Monahan kept Stanislaus off the scoreboard over the first five innings, but surrendered a run in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Warriors cut the 'Cats' lead in half. Sam Mulock was summoned from the Chico State bullpen, and with the potential tying run aboard, got the final two outs in the sixth to quash the rally.
Stanislaus once again got the tying run on base to start the bottom of the seventh, but Chico State answered by turning a huge 6-4-3 double play. Mulock got Maya Yoshiura to ground out to end the game, giving the Wildcats the 2-1 win and the doubleheader split.
Monahan allowed just a run on three hits in five-and-a-third innings of work to earn the victory and improve to 7-0 on the season.
Chico State and Stanislaus State conclude the four-game series Monday with a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon. Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
