HAYWARD—You have to hand it to the Chico State softball team. This year's edition of the Wildcats have been winning consistently, but they've notched victories in a wide variety of ways—from nail-biters to blowouts, the 'Cats have made every day at the yard extremely interesting. Case in point: Friday's series-opening doubleheader sweep of Cal State East Bay, as Chico State scored early and proceeded to hang on for a 4-3 victory in the first game, then came from behind with eight unanswered runs late in the nightcap to score a 10-3 victory over the host Pioneers.
Friday's two "W's" improved Chico State's current winning streak to five straight games and moved the No. 25 Wildcats to 28-12 on the season and 22-10 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Chico State picked up some ground on conference leader UC San Diego, which split its Friday doubleheader against Cal State San Marcos. The 'Cats head into Saturday just a half-game back of the Tritons in the race for the CCAA regular season title.
Cal State East Bay slipped to 11-31 overall and 7-23 in CCAA play.
Chico State's offense was clicking all afternoon, piling up a combined 22 hits in Friday's doubleheader sweep. No less than nine Wildcats enjoyed multi-hit games, with Ari Marsh's three knocks giving her 221 for her career, tying Alli Cook for the most hits ever by a Chico State softball player.
Kristin Worley, Amanda Flores, and Reilani Peleti joined Marsh in contributing three hits apiece to the 'Cats' attack. Brooke Larsen, Bailey Akins, Amanda Metzger, Claire Wayne, and Wendy Cardinali all had two hits as Chico State pounded out 10 extra-base knocks on the afternoon.
Game one of Friday's double dip saw the Wildcats grab an early lead when Worley doubled to lead off the top of the third inning, and scored two batters later on Marsh's single up the middle. Flores reached on a fielder's choice and Larsen walked to load the bases, with Marsh coming home from third on a Wayne RBI groundout to put the 'Cats on top 2-0.
Chico State extended its advantage in the top of the fifth inning when Flores singled and came around to score on a two-out triple by Akins. Cal State East Bay got the run back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring on a Wildcats error to make it a 3-1 contest. In the top of the sixth, Metzger crushed her second homer of the season—the solo blast giving Chico State a 4-1 lead.
That round-tripper would prove to be huge, as the Pioneers stormed back in the bottom of the sixth inning to score twice and get the potential tying run to second base with just one out. Larsen pitched her way out of the jam to get the 'Cats back to the dugout still clinging to a one-run lead, then retired East Bay in order in the bottom of the seventh to put the finishing touches on Chico State's 4-3 victory.
Larsen struck out seven in tossing her 17th complete game of the season, improving her season record to 17-4.
The Pioneers struck first in the nightcap, scoring two runs off Chico State starting pitcher Naomi Monahan in the bottom of the first inning. The Wildcats came back in the top of the third when Worley scored from third on a Flores sacrifice fly, then later in the frame Cardinali came home on a two-out single by Wayne to knot up the contest. The Pioneers answered with a run in the bottom of the third to go back on top 3-2.
Trailing by a run and with just nine outs left to play with, the 'Cats brought out the heavy artillery in the top of the fifth inning. Peleti stroked a clutch two-out double to left-center field, plating both Flores and Wayne to put Chico State in front 4-3. In the top of the sixth Marsh delivered a two-out double to drive in Shelby Burdette, and following a single by Flores and a walk to Wayne, Akins cleared the bases with a three-run triple to dead center field, breaking the game open and making it an 8-3 contest.
Cardinali wrapped up the day's scoring in long-distance fashion, cracking her fifth home run of the year with a runner aboard to push Chico State's lead to seven. Sam Mulock, who came in from the Wildcats' bullpen and allowed just one hit through four-and-a-third shutout innings, set down East Bay in order in the bottom of the seventh to cement Chico State's 10-3 victory and the doubleheader sweep.
Mulock got credit for the win to improve her record to 6-3 on the season.
Chico State and Cal State East Bay wrap up the four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video, available on the Wildcat Athletics website.
