TUCSON, Ariz. –A pitcher's duel is not exactly the type of thing one associates with Super Bowl Sunday, but that's exactly what Chico State softball fans got during the final day of the Desert Stinger Tournament. Both Wildcats ace Brooke Larsen and Montana State Billings hurler Alyssa Etheridge were close to unhittable the entire contest, and it took extra innings to finally determine the outcome. With Larsen striking out a career-high 18 hitters, the 'Cats scored four times in the eighth inning and withstood a Yellowjackets rally to post a 5-4 win at Lincoln Park in Tucson, Arizona.
Chico State finished the three-day Desert Stinger Tournament winning four of its five games to raise its season record to 8-2.
The Wildcats were held to just four hits on the day, with Nina Revoir going 2-for-4 and providing a huge RBI in the decisive eighth inning.
Larsen and Etheridge traded zeroes through the first four frames, as neither team could generate any offense. The lone Chico State baserunner was Rachael Bles, who drew a first inning walk; meanwhile, Larsen struck out 10 of the first 13 Montana State Billings batters she faced, surrendering just a fourth inning walk.
The Wildcats finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning. Revoir led off with a double and scored on a throwing error when Larsen laid down a sacrifice bunt.
Larsen lost her no-hit bid when Allie Hughes singled with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, then in the sixth the Yellowjackets knotted up the score 1-1 on an RBI bunt single.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh, but their chance to retake the lead was short-circuited when Montana State Billings pulled off an inning-ending double play. Larsen retired the 'Jackets in order in the bottom of the seventh, forcing extra innings.
The Wildcats loaded the bases again in the top of the eighth, and this time, with some help from Montana State Billings, the 'Cats' offense delivered. Amanda Metzger was hit by a pitch to plate Hailey Seva; Revoir singled to drive in Tayler Berens; Larsen drew a walk to force home Bles, and Grace Stover's sacrifice fly chased home Metzger, giving Chico State a seemingly safe 5-1 lead.
The Yellowjackets battled back to score three in the bottom of the eighth, but with the potential tying run at first base, Larsen struck out Maycen O'Neal to end the game, and the Wildcats escaped with the hard-fought 5-4 victory.
Larsen earned the win to improve to 5-1 on the season. The Wildcats' ace finished the Desert Stinger Tournament with three complete game victories and a jaw-dropping 46 strikeouts in 23 innings of work, earning Most Valuable Tournament Player honors, and along with Berens, was named to the Desert Stinger All-Tournament team.
Next week, Chico State opens California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play against Cal State Monterey Bay. The four-game series in Seaside gets underway Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m., with a Saturday twin bill scheduled for 11 a.m.
