This weekend's series between the Chico State and Cal State San Bernardino softball team represents much more than just a typical four-game set. In addition to a matchup between two of the top teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the series features a pair of nationally-ranked teams going head-to-head—the No. 6 Wildcats against the No. 19 Coyotes. The action gets underway Friday with a noon doubleheader, followed by a Saturday twin bill at 11 a.m. at University Softball Field
Fans can follow the action on the Internet with Live Stats, accessible through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video is also available online.
The series carries one additional storyline of interest—the return of Dee Payan. The former Wildcats player and coach, who was Angel Shamblin's lead assistant on last season's NCAA West Region championship team, makes her first trip back to Chico since being hired in January to serve as Cal State San Bernardino's head coach.
Chico State, winners of its last four contests, enters the series with a 14-3 record on the season and is in second place in the CCAA with a 12-2 conference mark. Last Friday the Wildcats swept a doubleheader against Cal State San Marcos that turned out to be the lone contests in a rain-shortened series in Southern California. The 'Cats sit just a half-game back of CCAA-leading UC San Diego.
Cal State San Bernardino is 9-2 overall and in third place in the CCAA with a 6-2 conference record. After winning their first seven games of the season, the Coyotes split a four-game home series last weekend against San Francisco State.
Both the Wildcats and Coyotes have their offenses firing on all cylinders. Chico State is batting .304 as a team, averaging 5.5 runs and 7.7 hits a game. San Bernardino is hitting at a collective .309 clip, averaging seven runs and nine hits a contest.
The Wildcats' pitching staff leads the CCAA in team earned run average (1.81), shutouts (4), strikeouts (88) and opponent batting average (.210). The Coyotes' pitchers have also performed well in the circle so far in 2019, sporting a 2.30 team ERA and a pair of shutouts.
Individually, Amanda Metzger—riding a seven-game hitting streak and going 11-for-20 during that stretch—ranks fifth in the CCAA with a .458 season average. Amanda Flores is batting .419, while Kristin Worley (.377) is second in the conference in runs scored (16) and fourth in stolen bases (10). Wendy Cardinali and Bailey Akins are among the CCAA leaders with three home runs apiece, with Akins ranked third in runs batted in with 15.
Brooke Larsen has been outstanding in the pitcher's circle for the 'Cats, fashioning an 8-1 record while leading the CCAA in ERA (1.15), and opponent batting average (.175). The righthander also ranks second among conference hurlers in wins and strikeouts (51).
Cal State San Bernardino is led by catcher Dominique Walker. The senior tops the CCAA in batting (.579), slugging percentage (.895) and on-base percentage (.595), and is tied for third in RBI (15). Senior outfielder Morgan Ratliff—a First Team All-CCAA selection last year—is hitting .450 with three home runs and 11 stolen bases, while leading the conference with 20 runs scored.
Righthanded pitcher Amanda Ramirez has had a hand in seven of the Coyotes' nine victories on the season, racking up five wins and a pair of saves. The senior ranks fourth in the CCAA with a sparkling 1.48 ERA.
Chico State won all six meetings with San Bernardino last year, including a regular season four-game sweep and two victories in the CCAA Tournament. The Wildcats have won 15 of the last 17 contests against the Coyotes, and since 1983 lead the series between the two teams 48-43.
