When two pitching-rich teams go head-to-head, it stands to reason that runs will come at a high premium. Such was the case Friday when the Chico State and Cal State Monterey Bay softball teams squared off in the opening doubleheader of a four-game series at University Softball Field. The No. 20 Wildcats kicked off the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference season by taking both ends of the twin bill, using a two-out, bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth to win a 1-0 extra-inning thriller, then followed up with a 4-0 blanking of the visiting Otters.
 
Chico State raised its season record to 7-0 with the two Friday victories, while Cal State Monterey Bay fell to 4-2 overall.
 
The Wildcats collected a dozen total hits on the day, with Drew Rodriguez posting two hits in both games of the doubleheader. Reilani Peleti racked up three hits, including her first home run of the year, while Kristin Worley had two hits, two runs batted in, and two stolen bases.
 
The day's big story, however, was the Wildcat pitching tandem of Brooke Larsen and Sam Mulock holding Cal State Monterey Bay—batting a combined .359 coming into the series—scoreless on just six total hits Friday.
 
The first game was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel between Larsen and Monterey Bay righthander Cassie Gasper. After giving up a bunt single to open the contest, Larsen proceeded to set down the next eight Otter batters she faced. Gasper matched her zero for zero, allowing just a single by Peleti through the first three frames.
 

Chico State threatened to score in the bottom of the fourth inning, loading the bases with nobody out. Gasper was able to wiggle out of the jam unscathed, and over the next four innings didn't allow a Wildcats runner past first base. The Otters fared little better against Larsen, producing just one hit from the fourth inning on.
 
In extra innings, Chico State finally prevailed. In the top of the ninth, Karter Williams made a diving grab in right field of a Aubrey Cousins line drive that seemed destined for extra bases. That defensive gem was followed by the Wildcats scoring the only run of the game in the bottom of the ninth—back-to-back one-out singles by Rodriguez and Sara Mitrano was followed by Virgie Robello getting hit by a pitch. Williams lined out to short for the second out, but Worley was able to work the count full against Gasper, and after fouling off a couple of two-strike pitches, coaxed a walk that forced home Rodriguez from third base. giving the Wildcats the exciting 1-0 win.
 
Larsen scattered three hits and struck out five in turning in her third shutout of the season to improve to 4-0 on the year.
 
In the nightcap, Mulock kept the Monterey Bay hitters off-balance from the opening pitch, and not allowing a hit until the fourth inning. The Wildcats staked the senior lefty to an early lead, as Peleti led off the second with a line drive homer down the left field line. The 'Cats went up 2-0 in the third when Worley scored on a base hit by Rodriguez.
 
Rodriguez delivered again in the fifth inning, when her RBI double plated Angel Lopez. Chico State completed the day's scoring in the bottom of the sixth, when Williams came home on a double by Worley. That would be more than enough offense for Mulock, who set down seven of the last eight Monterey Bay hitters she faced to lock down the Wildcats' 4-0 victory and the doubleheader sweep.
 
Mulock moved to 3-0 on the season with Friday's win, and registered her first complete game shutout since her no-hitter against Notre Dame de Namur on March 31, 2017. With 26 career wins, Mulock is now tied with 1990's Wildcat pitcher Stacy Lumley for 10th place on Chico State's all-time victories list.
 
The 'Cats and Otters wrap up their four-game set with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Fans unable to attend can follow the action on the Internet with Live Stats and live streaming video, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.