After another successful run at the Tournament of Champions, the Chico State softball team returns its focus to the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and the final three series of the conference schedule. The Wildcats, battling for one of six CCAA tournament berths while trying to beef up the team's NCAA West Region ranking, face a tough road challenge this weekend when they travel to Seaside to face Cal State Monterey Bay. The four-game set, originally scheduled to be played Friday and Saturday, has been pushed back a day due to anticipated inclement weather in the Monterey Bay area. The series will begin with a doubleheader at noon on Saturday, followed by a Sunday twin bill starting at 11 a.m.  
 
Fans can follow the action on the Internet with Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website. Weather permitting, live streaming video will be available for Saturday's doubleheader only.
 
Chico State, ranked No. 13 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll, enters the series with the Otters with a 22-8 season record while occupying second place in the CCAA with a 16-6 conference mark.  The Wildcats won four of their five Tournament of Champions games last weekend in Turlock—three of which were one-run decisions.
 
The Wildcats are 14-4 on the road this season.
 
Despite being limited to 10 runs over its five Tournament of Champions contests, Chico State carries a team batting average of .301—fourth-best among the 11 CCAA teams—and is tied for second in the conference with 17 home runs. The Wildcats' pitching staff continues to lead the CCAA in team earned run average (1.83), strikeouts (162), and opponent batting average (.199).
 
Cal State Monterey Bay is 18-16 overall and in fifth place in the CCAA with a 14-10 conference record. The Otters entered the Tournament of Champions on a five-game winning streak, but lost four of five last weekend in Turlock.
 
The Otters have been tough to beat at home this season, winning 10 out of 14 at Cal State Monterey Bay Softball Field.
 
Monterey Bay is batting a collective .292, and is second in the CCAA with 271 hits as a team. The Otters' pitching staff, led by junior righthander Hayley Fein (12-7, 1.99 ERA), ranks fourth in the conference in team ERA (2.29) and third in strikeouts (140).
 
Chico State swept a four-game home series with Monterey Bay last season at University Softball Field. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 33-30, but have lost seven of the last 10 road matchups against the Otters.