Twenty-four games into its conference schedule, the Chico State softball team takes a break from California Collegiate Athletic Association play this weekend to take part in the Stanislaus State-hosted Tournament of Champions at the Pedretti Sports Complex in Turlock. The Wildcats will face Azusa Pacific Saturday at 2 p.m. and Dominican at 7, concluding with a 12:30 p.m. contest Sunday against Chaminade.
Tickets are available online via the Warriors Ticketing page. Single day passes are priced at $10 for adults, and $7 for youth 5–10 and seniors 65 and older. Children four and under will be admitted free. A three-day Tournament of Champions pass is $25 for adults; $20 for youth and seniors.
Chico State, ranked No. 25 in the country in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, enters the Tournament of Champions with a 24-10 record on the season. The Wildcats split their most recent four-game series last weekend against Cal State Dominguez Hills, leaving Chico State in second place in the CCAA with a 16-8 conference mark.
Chico State makes its 18th Tournament of Champions appearance, and historically has played extremely well in the multi-day event. The Wildcats are 65-39 in its previous 17 TOC appearances, and since 2016 has won 20 of 22 tournament games. The 'Cats were crowned tournament champions in 2018.
The Wildcats' three opponents in the 2022 edition of the Tournament of Champions are all from the Pacific West Conference.
Chico State's first TOC foe, Azusa Pacific, comes to Turlock sporting a season record of 24-13 and sits in second place in the Pac West with an 18-6 conference mark. The Cougars are playing arguably their best ball of the year, winning eight straight contests and 12 of the last 13.
Chico State leads the all-time series with Azusa Pacific 7-3. The last time the two teams met, the Wildcats edged the Cougars 3-2 January 31, 2020 at the Concordia Kickoff Classic.
Dominican, which takes on the 'Cats Saturday at 7 p.m., is 12-23 on the year and in fifth place in the PacWest with a 9-15 conference record. The Penguins have lost their last four contests entering the Tournament of Champions, dropping a non-conference doubleheader against Cal State Monterey Bay before losing back-to-back decisions last Sunday to Academy of Art.
The Wildcats have won all of the previous seven meetings with Dominican. It's been over six years since Chico State has faced Dominican, when the 'Cats swept the Penguins in a doubleheader February 7, 2016 at University Softball Field.
Chico State's Sunday opponent, Chaminade, is 10-16 overall and tied for sixth place in the Pac West with an 8-14 conference record. After a solid start to the season, the Silverswords come to Turlock in the midst of a 12-game losing streak, including a doubleheader sweep Wednesday at the hands of Azusa Pacific.
Chico State holds an 8-2 lead over Chaminade in the all-time series, which dates back to 1990. The Wildcats have won the last six meetings, including the most recent, a 3-1 victory at the 2018 Tournament of Champions.
