SEASIDE—Last season, the Chico State softball team swept its way through the CCAA Tournament, taking the conference crown in convincing fashion. This year, it was a much different script, as the Wildcats suffered a quick exit in the double-elimination tournament. After dropping a 7-5 decision to Cal State San Bernardino in Thursday's opening game, the 'Cats fell to Cal State Monterey Bay 3-1 Friday to be the first team to be erased from the six-team conference field.
 
The loss to the Otters gives Chico State a 29-15 season record. Despite falling in the CCAA Tournament, the Wildcats can take solace knowing there is still more softball to be played in 2019. The 'Cats are assured of being one of the eight Division II West Region teams chosen to compete in the NCAA Championship Tournament, beginning next week.
 
The 'Cats actually outhit Monterey Bay Friday, but all of Chico State's five hits were singles.  
 
Chico State took the early lead by plating an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning, as Ari Marsh reached on a two-out error, advanced to third on back-to-back singles by Amanda Flores and Brooke Larsen, and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Bailey Akins.
 
Larsen tossed two scoreless innings to start the game—striking out five in a row at one point—but surrendered the lead in the top of the third inning when a two-out error allowed a pair of Monterey Bay baserunners to score.
 
The Wildcats were hitting the ball hard all afternoon against Otters starting pitcher Hayley Fein, but several fine defensive plays by her Monterey Bay teammates kept Chico State from knotting up the contest.
 
The Otters went up 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning when Fein led off the frame with a double and scored on a Savannah Salyer Kovacs sacrifice fly.
 
Chico State tried to mount a late-inning rally, but stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Wildcats remained alive in the seventh when Flores reached on a two-out error, but Larsen grounded into a fielder's choice to end it, giving Monterey Bay the 3-1 victory and eliminating the 'Cats from the conference tournament.
 
Though allowing just one earned run and striking out six, Larsen was saddled with the hard-luck loss to slip to 18-6 on the season.
 
Chico State now awaits Monday's scheduled NCAA Championship Tournament selection show, which will reveal which of the eight West Region berths the Wildcats will receive, the three opponents they'll go up against and the location of  the double-elimination sub-regional May 9–11. The selection show can be viewed online Monday at 7 a.m. on www.ncaa.com.