The Chico State softball team was not only battling the elements Friday, but one of the best hitting teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in San Francisco State. The Wildcats were able to dodge the expected rain showers and get both games of their series-opening doubleheader in the books, resulting in a very productive day at University Softball Field. The 'Cats used an outstanding pitching performance by Brooke Larsen to down the Gators 3-1 in the opener, then rode a three-home run barrage to a 10-4 victory in the nightcap.
 
Friday's two wins moved Chico State to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the CCAA. San Francisco State, which began the year with three convincing wins at the Desert Stinger Tournament, dipped to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
 
The 'Cats rapped out 16 hits on the day, with Amanda Flores going 5-for-7 in the doubleheader with four runs batted in. Ari Marsh collected two hits and three RBI, with Bailey Akins posting two hits and knocking in a pair. Kristin Worley had two hits, scored three times, drove in a run and stole a base.
 
The opener of Friday's twin bill featured a battle in the pitcher's circle between the Larsen and San Francisco State's Emily Mitchell. Neither offense could get untracked through the first three frames, but in the top of the fourth inning the Gators broke through as Nina Revoir delivered a two-out RBI single, giving San Francisco State a 1-0 lead.
 
Chico State answered immediately, knotting up the score in the bottom of the fourth as Flores ripped a single down the left field line, plating pinch runner Annie Weiss from second base.

 

The game stayed deadlocked until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Wildcats pushed across what proved to be the winning runs. With Worley aboard, Flores again provided the big knock, coming through with a two-out RBI single to put the 'Cats up 2-1. Akins followed with a double down the left field line to cash in Flores.
 
That would be all that Larsen would need to salt the contest away. Backed by a nifty double play by Worley in the top of the seventh innng, Larsen ended the proceedings by striking out pinch-hitter Katelyn Sturm to give Chico State the 3-1 victory.
 
Larsen struck out six and didn't walk a batter in going the distance and improving her season record to 2-1.
 
San Francisco State opened the scoring again in the nightcap, as back-to-back doubles in the top of the first inning put the Gators up 1-0. The lead was short-lived, however, as Marsh doubled home Worley in the bottom of the first.
 
In the bottom of the third, Chico State brought out a weapon that it used often during the program's record-setting 2018 season—the long ball. Wendy Cardinali led off the frame with a home run to left; her second big fly of the season giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. After Flores singled, Claire Wayne sent a laser shot to left that just cleared the left field fence, and just like that the 'Cats were up 4-1. Akins then stepped up to the plate and went opposite field, blasting a solo homer to right-center to give Chico State a four run advantage.
 
The big flies by Wayne and Akins gives each player 17 for their Chico State career, tying them with Emily McEnaney for third on the Wildcats' career home runs list.
 
San Francisco State was not about to fold up its tent, as they creeped back into the contest with two runs in the fourth inning and another in the fifth. The Gators had a chance to take the lead in the fifth, but with two outs and the bases loaded, 'Cats' reliever Sam Mulock got Revoir to hit back to the circle to end the inning, with Chico State still clinging to a 5-4 lead.
 
The Wildcats put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth inning, batting around and scoring five times. Railani Peleti led off with a base hit and scored on Worley's double to center field. Following a walk to Cardinali, Marsh shot a base hit through the right side to plate Worley and Mulock to make the score 8-4. Flores then put a bow on the Chico State rally with a two-run single to left, pushing the 'Cats' lead to a half-dozen.
 
Mulock set down San Francisco State without incident in the top of the seventh inning to put the finishing touches on the Wildcats' 10-4 victory and the doubleheader sweep.
 
Naomi Monahan started in the circle for the 'Cats and tossed four-and-two-thirds innings to earn the win, improving to 2-0 on the season. Mulock pitched two-and-a-third innings of scoreless relief to pick up her first save of the season.
 
The Wildcats and Gators will conclude their four-game series Saturday at University Softball Field with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m., weather permitting.

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