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Box Score 2 After waiting for close to two years to get back on the field, the Chico State softball team got the 2022 season off to an extremely successful start Friday, posting a pair of victories in opening day action at the Concordia Kickoff Classic in Irvine. The two "W's" couldn't have been any more different—the Wildcats started the day by steamrolling nationally-ranked Biola 8-0, and ended it with an exciting 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Northwest Nazarene at Great Park in Irvine.
Friday's two victories mark the fifth straight season Chico State has won its first two contests. The Wildcats also extended its winning streak at the Concordia Kickoff Classic to seven in a row dating back to 2020.
The 'Cats produced a combined 15 hits on the day—10 coming in the first game against Biola, which began the season ranked No. 3 in the nation. True freshman Rachael Bles led Chico State with three hits, while Reilani Peleti, Alani Nguyen, Grace Gallagher, and Hailey Seva (another true Wildcat freshman) collected two hits apiece.
In the first game of the day, the Wildcats wasted little time getting on the board against Biola. Amanda Metzger doubled to lead off the bottom of the first inning and scored on a single up the middle by Peleti. Two frames later Chico State put up a crooked number—Bles led off with a double, stole third base, and came home on Metzger's sacrifice fly to right field. Following a walk to Peleti, Nina Revoir blasted a home run down the right field line to up the Wildcats' advantage to 4-0.
The 'Cats plated another run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Seva singled with two outs and scored on a Bles double to the left-center field gap. In the fifth, Chico State put the game away with another three-spot—Nguyen's bases-loaded single knocked in Anastacia Alba, and Tayler Berens promptly doubled home Peleti and Revoir to end the game, giving Chico State the 8-0 victory.
Brooke Larsen was dominant in the pitcher's circle for the Wildcats, allowing just a third inning single while retiring 15 of the 16 hitters she faced to pick up the win.
Chico State struck quickly in Friday's evening contest against Northwest Nazarene, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Grace Gallagher knocked in Amanda Metzger and Reilani Peleti with a two-out bases loaded single. The lead didn't last long, however, as the Nighthawks jumped on top with three runs in their half of the first.
While Northwest Nazarene plated another run in the bottom of third inning, the Wildcats were finding it difficult to muster any offense against Nighthawks starter Tori Hensley. The 'Cats trailed 4-2 before finally breaking through in the top of the sixth, as a two-out bases loaded double by Seva brought home Revoir and Alexandria Allen to tie the score.
Chico State took the lead in the top of the seventh inning on yet another clutch two-out hit. This time, it was Nguyen who delivered, tripling home Revoir with the go-ahead run. Northwest Nazarene got the potential tying run to third base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Mari Takeda Bajan—who held the Nighthawks to just one run in five-and-two-thirds innings of relief—retired Madison Felter on a come-backer for the third out, ending the game and securing the 'Cats' 5-4 victory.
Chico State plays two more games Saturday during day two of the Concordia Kickoff Classic. The Wildcats will tangle with Colorado Mesa (ranked No. 21 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 preseason coaches' poll) at 11:45 a.m., followed by a 4:30 p.m. contest against Academy of Art. Fans can follow the action online via Live Stats, with links for each game available at www.chicowildcats.com in the calendar section on the homepage, and on the softball schedule page.
