It was an extremely busy Saturday at University Softball Field. The Chico State softball team started by unveiling a special outfield banner commemorating the program's 1980 national championship, and wrapped up its season-long 50th anniversary celebration by spotlighting several former players. Haley Gilham, Karli Skowrup, Cyrena Taylor and Mia Quintero were honored during Senior Day festivities, and the 'Cats concluded the day by treating District 47 Little Leaguers to an on-field autograph session. Somewhere in between, No. 3 Chico State completed a four-game series sweep of No. 18 Sonoma State, downing the Seawolves 6-2 and 2-0 to not only extend its current winning streak to 14, but also clinch the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular season title.

 

Chico State improved its season record to 39-3 with the two Saturday victories and 29-3 in CCAA play. The Wildcats' conference lead increased to nine full games, locking up first place with eight regular season games remaining.
 
Sonoma State fell to 25-18 overall and into a tie for fourth place in the CCAA with a 17-13 conference mark.
 
Skowrup led the Wildcats' offense Saturday with a home run and four runs batted in, while Bailey Akins contributed two hits and three RBI. Kristin Worley also had two hits as Chico State put the finishing touches on a perfect 20-0 record at University Softball Field.
 
In game one of the twin bill, the Wildcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Worley reached on an error, stole third and scored on a two-out single to center by Akins. Sonoma State answered by pulling off a double steal in the top of the third to plate a run and knot up the contest.

 

The 'Cats broke the game open in the bottom of the third. Ari Marsh drove in Wendy Cardinali with a single down the right field line and later scored on an Akins RBI single. With two aboard, Skowrup went big fly, socking her 10th homer of the season over the center field fence to put Chico State up 6-1.
 
Gilham, starting in the pitcher's circle for the Wildcats, easily made the five-run cushion stand up. She surrendered a run in the top of the fifth inning, but kept the Seawolves in check the rest of the way. The 'Cats turned a double play to end the sixth, and Gilham set down Sonoma 1-2-3 in the seventh to secure Chico State's 6-2 win.
 
Gilham raised her season record to 19-2 with the complete game victory.
 
The nightcap featured an entertaining pitcher's duel between the Wildcats' Naomi Monahan and Brigid Ruiz of Sonoma State. Monahan allowed just one hit through the first four innings, while Ruiz gave up singles to Worley and Megan Bowley through the first three frames.
 
Chico State would score what turned out to be the only runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Worley led off the frame with a double and moved to third on a base hit by Taylor. Akins' fielder's choice grounder brought home Worley, and a sacrifice fly by Skowrup plated Taylor to put the Wildcats on top 2-0.

 

Sonoma State threatened to slice into the 'Cats' lead in the top of the sixth inning, putting two on with two out. Chico State head coach Angel Shamblin elected to go to the bullpen, bringing in Gilham to quell the rally. She promptly induced a popup back to the circle to end the inning, then retired the Seawolves in order in the seventh to lock down the 2-0 victory and complete the doubleheader and series sweep.
 
Monahan struck out four in five-and-two-thirds innings to earn the win and improve to 15-1 on the year, with Gilham notching her second save of the season.
 
The game two shutout was the 16th of the year by the Wildcats' pitching staff, setting a new Chico State single-season record.
 
The Wildcats are back in action next weekend, traveling to Arcata to take on Humboldt State (19-21, 14-12 CCAA). The four-game series gets underway Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., with a Saturday twin bill set to start at 11 a.m.