For the first time in nearly a month, the Chico State softball team won't have to dodge the raindrops to get its scheduled games in. Head Coach Angel Shamblin's squad is traveling to Southern California this weekend, where the forecast is calling for plenty of sunshine as the Wildcats square off with Cal State Dominguez Hills in an important California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) series. The four-game set begins with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a Saturday twin bill starting at 11 a.m.
Fans can follow the action on the Internet with Live Stats, accessible through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video is also available online.
Chico State enters the weekend 15-4 on the season and in second place in the CCAA with a 13-3 conference mark, trailing UC San Diego by just a half-game. The Wildcats have risen from No. 6 to No. 5 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) national Top 25 rankings.
The 'Cats face a Dominguez Hills team that has won four straight and six of its last seven to boast a 14-7 overall record and claim fourth place in the CCAA with a 12-6 conference record.
Last weekend's rain sliced the Wildcats' four-game home series against Cal State San Bernardino in half. Chico State split the two games that were completed on Friday, beating the Coyotes 2-1 in the doubleheader opener before falling 4-3 in the nightcap.
Dominguez Hills succeeded in getting its four-game set against Humboldt State in the books last weekend, with the Toros sweeping the series in Arcata by outscoring the Lumberjacks 46-18.
Despite scoring just five runs on seven hits in its two games against San Bernardino, Chico State is still batting a collective .292 and is one of the CCAA's top home run-hitting teams with 13 big flies on the year. The Wildcats own the conference's top pitching staff thanks to a 1.89 team earned run average and a conference-best four shutouts, 99 strikeouts and a .205 opponent batting average.
The Wildcats have played well on the road so far this season, winning seven of nine decisions away from University Softball Field.
Dominguez Hills ranks third in the CCAA with a .315 team batting average, and leads the conference in runs scored (126). The Toros also like to run, swiping 44 bases in their 21 games. In the circle, Dominguez Hills pitchers have combined for a 4.04 ERA and have surrendered a conference-high 19 home runs.
Dominguez Hills is 4-2 this season playing on its home field, Toro Diamond.
The series will feature several players that are ranked among the top performers in the CCAA. The Wildcats' Amanda Metzger enters the weekend ninth in the conference in batting average (.429), while Bailey Akins is tied for fourth in the CCAA in home runs (3) and fifth in runs batted in (15). Wendy Cardinali is also tied for fourth in homers (3), and ranks ninth in the conference with 14 RBI. Kristin Worley, batting .351 on the season, is tied for fourth in the CCAA with 11 stolen bases.
Brooke Larsen continues to put up outstanding numbers in the pitcher's circle. The 'Cats' ace leads the CCAA in ERA (1.13), shutouts (3), and opponent batting average (.150), and is tied for the conference lead with nine victories. Larsen is also second in the CCAA with 67 strikeouts.
Dominguez Hills boasts three of the top 10 hitters in the conference: senior infielder Jazmin Guzman (third in the CCAA with a .500 batting average), freshman outfielder Amanda Canizales (sixth, .471), and senior outfielder Damari Simon (10th, .426). Simon also leads the CCAA in home runs (5), extra-base hits (13), and RBI (25), while ranking sixth in the conference with 10 stolen bases.
The Toros' pitching staff is led by freshman righthander Ashley Wies (6-4, 4.02 ERA, team-high 42 strikeouts), sophomore righty Alyssa Olague (4-2, 3.41 ERA), and junior righthander Jessica Olvera (4-1, 4.32 ERA in 13 relief appearances).
Last year, Chico State swept its four-game series with Dominguez Hills March 29–30 at University Softball Field. The Wildcats have won the last 19 meetings with the Toros, and since 1983 lead the all-time series 57-42.
