SEASIDE—It is now officially an uphill battle in the Chico State softball team's quest for a second straight California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament crown. Despite a furious seventh inning rally, the Wildcats—seeded No. 2 in the six-team conference tourney—were dealt an opening round 7-5 defeat by No. 6 seed Cal State San Bernardino Thursday at the Otter Sports Complex in Seaside.
The loss drops Chico State to 29-14 on the season, but more importantly, puts the Wildcats in a "win or go home" situation. The 'Cats must now win five straight games in order to repeat as CCAA Tournament champions. Chico State will now face Cal State Monterey Bay (27-24) Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the tournament's first elimination game.
The Wildcats lost three of four to the Otters in Seaside back in early April.
Cal State San Bernardino (28-18) beat San Francisco State 9-3 in Thursday's first CCAA Tournament game before downing the Wildcats to end the day's action.
The 'Cats collected eight hits Thursday, with Ari Marsh and Amanda Flores each banging out two hits and driving in a run. Kristin Worley went 1-for-3 and scored twice.
Chico State opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Flores lined a one-out RBI single to left field, knocking in Worley. Brooke Larsen followed with a sacrifice fly to chase home Wendy Cardinali, giving the Wildcats a quick 2-0 lead.
The advantage didn't last long. Cal State San Bernardino batted around in the top of the second inning, scoring five times to roar out in front. The Coyotes had a chance to add to their lead in the top of the third, but Amanda Metzger made a leaping grab at the center field fence to rob Kianna Abellera of a two-run homer to end the inning.
The 'Cats' offense was stymied by San Bernardino pitcher Kendra O'Cull, who allowed just one hit in four-and-a-third innings of scoreless relief. The Coyotes added to their lead in the top of the fifth on a two-out, two-run homer by Claudia Lopez to make the score 7-2.
Chico State finally made some noise in the bottom of sixth inning. With two aboard, Sam Mulock—making only her fifth plate appearance of the season—ripped a two-out single to straightaway center field to drive in Marsh.
Chico State didn't go down without a fight. Down 7-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, Rachel Atkins' pinch-hit solo homer—the first round-tripper of her Wildcats career—and a two-out RBI single by Marsh suddenly pulled the 'Cats to within two. With two outs and the tying runs aboard, Flores smoked a sinking liner to center field, but a diving catch by Morgan Ratliff snuffed out the late-inning rally, and allowed San Bernardino to hang on for the 7-5 victory.
Larsen allowed seven runs in four-and-two thirds innings in the pitcher's circle and was charged with the loss, dropping her record to 18-5 on the season.
Fans can follow Saturday's Chico State-Cal State Monterey Bay game on the Internet with Live Stats through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video will also be available online.
