SAN MARCOS—The Chico State softball team won in two decidedly different ways Friday in Southern California during the opening doubleheader of its four-game series with host Cal State San Marcos. The No. 8 Wildcats were able to get runners on base all day, and while they had little problem plating runs in an 11-3 game one victory over the Cougars, the 'Cats had to resort to a pair of clutch two-out RBI hits to scratch out a 3-2 win in the nightcap.
Friday's two victories moves Chico State to 14-3 on the year and 12-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State San Marcos slipped to 5-7 overall and 4-6 in conference play.
The Wildcats hammered out 20 hits on the afternoon, with Kristin Worley collecting four hits, scoring four runs and stealing three bases. Amanda Metzger and Reilani Peleti also had four hits over the two games, with Wendy Cardinali and Bailey Akins each chipping in with a pair of knocks.
In the opening game of Friday's double dip, Chico State punched out nine hits and were the beneficiaries of 11 free passes issued by San Marcos pitchers. The Wildcats missed a couple of scoring chances in each of the first two innings, while starting pitcher Brooke Larsen wiggled out of a jam to turn the Cougars away in the bottom of the second. The Wildcats finally broke through in the top of the third inning when Larsen delivered an RBI single to plate Amanda Flores.
With one swing of Cardinali's bat, the Wildcats dramatically added to their advantage in the top of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Chico State's senior second baseman belted her third home run of the season over the left field fence; the grand slam extending the 'Cats lead to 5-0.
Chico State officially blew the game open by scoring six times in the top of the fifth. A squeeze bunt, two bases-loaded walks, a wild pitch and a two-run single by Peleti made the score 11-0. San Marcos scored three times in its half of the fifth, but it was far too little and far too late, as the Wildcats wrapped up the 11-3 victory.
Larsen allowed no runs and just one hit in four innings of work to earn the win and raise her season record to 8-1.
San Marcos opened the scoring in the game two, plating an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning. Chico State tied things up in the top of the third when Worley singled, stole second, and dashed home on a Cougars error.
The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning on Claire Wayne's two-out single to center, cashing in Akins, who had doubled earlier in the frame. In the sixth the 'Cats struck again with a big two-out knock, as Flores delivered an opposite field triple to right to drive in Worley.
It turned out to be a huge insurance run. San Marcos cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, and put the potential tying run aboard with one out in the seventh. Larsen was summoned from the bullpen, and the Wildcats' ace promptly quelled the Cougars' comeback attempt by striking out Kammy Fisher and Brittney Scardina, ending the game and giving Chico State the 3-2 win and the doubleheader sweep.
Sam Mulock, the second of three 'Cats' pitchers in the contest, got credit for the win to improve to 3-1 overall. Larsen earned her first save of the season.
Chico State and Cal State San Marcos are scheduled to wrap up the four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m., but the area forecast is calling for rain—heavy at times—through the morning hours.
