TURLOCK—For the third straight day, the Chico State softball team had trouble scoring runs at the Tournament of Champions. In fact, only one Wildcat crossed the plate Sunday—but thanks to Brooke Larsen's mastery in the pitcher's circle, it turned out to be just enough offense as the 'Cats scored their lone run on a Larsen sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning to shade Concordia (Oregon) 1-0 at the Pedretti Sports Complex in Turlock.
With Sunday's victory, Chico State won four of its five Tournament of Champions contests to improve to 22-8 on the season.
The Wildcats had nine hits on the day, with Angel Lopez going 2-for-4. Larsen, Amanda Metzger, Claire Wayne, Bailey Akins, Rachael Atkins, Reilani Peleti, and Breanna Martin all contributed hits to Chico State's 20th Tournament of Champions win (against only two losses) since 2016.
Larsen and Concordia righthander Sally Bowles combined for an entertaining pitcher's duel, with neither the Wildcats nor Cavaliers able to do much offensively through the first three frames. In the top of the fourth Larsen gave up a leadoff double to Concordia's Karley Yoshioka, but wiggled out of the jam unscathed. In the bottom of the fourth Akins and Atkins singled to put runners at the corners, but Akins was called out at the plate trying to score from third on a Peleti bunt to keep the game scoreless.
Chico State threatened again in the bottom of the sixth, with Larsen and Wayne leading off the inning with singles. That put runners at second and third with nobody out, but despite a walk to Peleti to load the bases later in the frame, the 'Cats could not push a run across.
In the top of the seventh, Larsen pitched around a leadoff double by Hanna Self to once again deny Concordia, and in the bottom of the seventh Larsen would come up big again—this time with the bat. With one out, Metzger ripped a double into the right-center field gap, and advanced to third on a single by Lopez. That set the stage for Larsen, who lifted a fly ball to center field deep enough to plate Metzger—the sacrifice fly driving in the only run of the ballgame and giving Chico State the 1-0 win.
Larsen struck out nine en route to her fourth shutout of the season. The complete game victory raised Larsen's season record to 14-2.
Following play Sunday, Larsen was named to the Tournament of Champions All-Tournament team and received Top Pitcher accolades for the three-day event. Akins was also named to the All-Tournament team.
Chico State returns to California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play next weekend, as the Wildcats travel to Seaside for a big conference matchup against Cal State Monterey Bay (18-16, 14-10 CCAA). The four-game series gets underway with a doubleheader Friday at 4 p.m., followed by a Saturday twin bill beginning at 11 a.m.
