The Chico State softball team saw its program-record home winning streak of 28 straight games halted following Monday's doubleheader split against Humboldt State. So what did the Wildcats decide to do in Tuesday's series-ending doubleheader against Humboldt State? Simply go out and start another winning streak—the 'Cats were victorious in both ends of Tuesday's twin bill 8-3 and 4-2 at University Softball Field, taking three of the four series games against the visiting Lumberjacks.
Chico State improved to 9-2 on the season and 7-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with Tuesday's doubleheader sweep. Humboldt State slipped to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
Amanda Metzger rapped out her first two hits as a
Wildcat in game two of Tuesday's doubleheader.
The Wildcats piled up 16 hits on the afternoon, with no less than seven players enjoying a multi-hit day. Amanda Flores posted a combined three hits in the double dip, with Ari Marsh, Brooke Larsen, Claire Wayne, Bailey Akins, Reilani Peleti, and Amanda Metzger collecting two hits apiece.
In the doubleheader opener, it took only two batters for Humboldt State to grab the lead. With Larsen in the pitcher's circle for the 'Cats, Hanna Holland led off the game with a walk and promptly scored on a double by Danica Greer. Chico State evened things up in the bottom of the first inning on Marsh's RBI single to center, plating Kristin Worley.
The Wildcats took the lead for good courtesy of a four-run second inning—Akins doubled home Wayne to put Chico State in front, and later in the frame Wendy Cardinali coaxed a bases-loaded walk off of Humboldt State starting pitcher Lexee Sheiring to force home Akins. Flores followed with a two-run single to extend the 'Cats' advantage to 5-1.
Chico State effectively put the game away in the bottom of the fourth inning, using RBI singles by Larsen and Wayne and a Lumberjacks throwing error to score three times and balloon its lead to 8-1. Humboldt scored single runs in the sixth and seventh inning, but it wasn't nearly enough as Flores, taking over in the circle for Larsen, struck out Illa Haley looking to end it, securing the Wildcats' 8-3 victory.
Sam Mulock tossed seven solid innings in the
nightcap to post her first complete game victory
for the Wildcats in nearly two years.
Larsen allowed one run and four hits in five innings of work to earn the win and raise her season record to 5-1.
Humboldt State opened the scoring in the nightcap, plating a run in the top of the first inning and another in the third to take an early 2-0 lead. Sam Mulock, getting the game two start in the circle, kept the 'Cats in the contest by shutting out the Lumberjacks on just two hits over the final four frames.
Chico State sliced Humboldt's lead in half in the bottom of the fourth inning, when pinch runner Shelby Burdette scored from second on Peleti's two-out line single to left.
The game was decided in the bottom of the sixth, when the Wildcats sent eight batters to the plate, scoring three times. Flores led off the inning with a single, then Akins chased home pinch runner Ana Hayes with a double down the left field line. Peleti put the 'Cats in front with a ringing double to right, and would score when Larsen delivered a pinch-hit RBI single, giving Chico State a 4-2 lead.
Mulock did the rest, retiring the final three Humboldt State hitters to cap off the Wildcats' come-from-behind 4-2 victory and put the finishing touches on the series win and doubleheader sweep.
Mulock earned her first win of the season in going the distance, recording her first seven-inning complete game victory since March 15, 2017.
The Wildcats are right back in action this weekend, traveling to Rohnert Park to take on Sonoma State (3-0, 1-1 CCAA). The four-game series gets underway with a doubleheader Friday at 12 noon, followed by a Saturday twin bill beginning at noon.
