The Chico State and Humboldt State softball teams put plenty of baserunners aboard Monday during their series-opening doubleheader at University Softball Field—they just didn't translate to very many runs. Though the Wildcats and Lumberjacks combined for just 14 hits on the afternoon, 19 walks, a hit batter, and two errors added up to many scoring opportunities for the two teams. Instead, the twin bill ended with a pair of low-scoring affairs—Chico State took the opener 3-0, but suffered its first loss of the season when Humboldt State scratched out a 2-1 victory in the nightcap.
The doubleheader split moved the Wildcats to 7-2 on the season, and 5-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Humboldt State, in action for the first time since Super Bowl Sunday, is now 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
Monday's loss in the nightcap snapped Chico State's impressive 28-game home winning streak at University Softball Field.
Chico State posted only seven hits in the two games, with Brooke Larsen the lone Wildcats player with more than one on the day.
Larsen set the tone in the opening game of Monday's twin bill. In the pitcher's circle, she struck out five of the first eight Humboldt batters she faced. In the bottom of the second inning, she came through with the bat, putting the 'Cats on the board by clubbing her first home run in a Chico State uniform, a solo shot to left-center field.
The Wildcats sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the third inning, scoring twice. Claire Wayne coaxed a bases-loaded walk from Lumberjacks' starting pitcher Lexee Sheiring, forcing home Ari Marsh, then two batters later Larsen fisted an opposite-field single to right to chase home Amanda Flores, giving Chico State a 3-0 lead.
The Wildcats would log only two more hits the rest of the afternoon.
Larsen took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, until Danica Grier broke it up with an infield single. The Lumberjacks loaded the bases in the sixth but came away empty, then got the tying run to the plate with one out in the seventh. Larsen retired Hanna Holland on a fly ball to left field, then struck out Grier to end it, giving the Wildcats the 3-0 win.
It was the second consecutive shutout for Larsen, who struck out nine in raising her season record to 4-1 while lowering her earned run average to 1.05.
In the nightcap, it appeared Chico State would make some noise early, but Wendy Cardinali was stranded at second after delivering a one-out double in the bottom of the first inning. Reilani Peleti drew a two-out walk in the second, but Humboldt starting pitcher Megan Hold proceeded to set down the next 12 Wildcat batters she faced.
Naomi Monahan started in the pitcher's circle for the 'Cats, and thanks to some sparkling defense behind her—including a pair of double plays—was able to keep the Lumberjacks off the scoreboard in the first three innings. In the top of the fourth, Humboldt broke through, using two-out RBI singles by Mariah Tovar and Haley Suter to grab a 2-0 lead.
It stayed that way until Chico State plated an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cardinali and Marsh each drew a two-out walk, and Flores' grounder to shortstop was bobbled by Maddie Allen, allowing Cardinali to score. The Wildcats had the potential tying and go-ahead runs aboard, but Holt was able to wiggle out of the jam and get the 'Jacks back into the dugout still clinging to the lead.
Chico State once again got the tying run aboard when Wayne walked to lead off the seventh. Holt quickly silenced the 'Cats' comeback attempt by retiring the next three batters to end the game, giving Humboldt State the 2-1 win and the doubleheader split.
Monahan (2-1) was charged with the loss for Chico State. Lefthander Sam Mulock contributed three-and-a-third innings of shutout relief, not allowing a hit while striking out four Humboldt hitters.
The Wildcats and Lumberjacks wrap up the four-game series Tuesday with a doubleheader beginning at noon at University Softball Field.
