IRVINE—The Chico State softball team got an early indication Saturday as to how the Wildcats stack up against strong West Region competition during second day action at the Concordia Kickoff Classic. The 'Cats went up against two of the best teams in the Pacific West Conference, and came away with a pair of hard-fought victories, shutting out No. 10 Concordia Irvine 4-0 and hanging on to nip Biola 2-1 at Great Park in Irvine.
 
With the two Saturday wins, Chico State—entering the day ranked No. 20 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 Coaches Poll—raised its record to 4-0 on the young season.
 
The Chico State offense was challenged throughout the afternoon by the outstanding pitching staffs of both Concordia Irvine and Biola, but the 'Cats made their hits count while taking advantage of free passes and defensive miscues. Alani Nguyen was extremely productive Saturday, collecting three hits and four runs batted in over the two games. Karter Williams also had three hits on the day.
 
Saturday's opening game was exactly what was anticipated: a tight battle between two nationally-ranked teams. Chico State opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when Williams delivered a two-out RBI single to plate Reilani Peleti. The Wildcats went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth as Kristin Worley was hit by a pitch, advanced to third base on an Angel Lopez single, and scored on an sacrifice fly by Nguyen.
 

Brooke Larsen was absolutely dominant in the pitcher's circle for the 'Cats. After wiggling out of a first inning jam, Larsen completely shut down Concordia's hitters, allowing just one hit past the opening frame, walking no one, and tying her career record of 13 strikeouts. Between the second and fourth innings, Larsen struck out eight Eagles in a row.
 
Chico State plated a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Williams led off the frame with a walk, and came all the way around to score when Concordia committed an error on Worley's sacrifice bunt. Nguyen promptly singled home Worley, and Larsen set down Concordia without incident in the bottom of the seventh to put the finishing touches on the Wildcats' 4-0 victory.
 
The 'Cats followed up their win over the 10th-ranked team in the country with another strong effort against Biola. Chico State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Worley was hit by a pitch, stole second base and scored on Nguyen's two-out double to left. Nguyen racked up another RBI the easy way in the bottom of the second, drawing a two-out, bases-loaded walk to force home Virgie Robello to make the score 2-0.
 
Sam Mulock kept Biola off the scoreboard through the first five innings, but had to pitch out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. In the fifth the Eagles put the tying runs aboard with nobody out, but Mulock again kept Biola at bay.
 
Chico State still owned a two-run lead heading into the top of the seventh inning. Biola ignited one last rally, using two singles and two walks to cut the deficit in half. But with two outs and the bases loaded, Wildcats reliever Courtney Springman struck out Ari Gonzales to end it the game, and Chico State escaped with the 2-1 win.  
 
Chico State wraps up the Concordia Kickoff Classic with a single game on Super Bowl Sunday. The Wildcats take on the Sharks of Hawaii Pacific (3-1 on the season) at 10 a.m. Fans can follow the action with Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.