ARCATA—The Chico State softball team knew going into its series-opening doubleheader with Cal Poly Humboldt Friday that they were facing one of the top hitting teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Wildcats were well aware that their offense would have to produce, while their pitchers would need to keep the Lumberjacks' bats quiet. The 'Cats delivered on both fronts, as timely hitting combined with shut-down pitching by Brooke Larsen and Katelyn Oldwin resulted in a 4-0 and 7-0 doubleheader sweep in Arcata.
 
Friday's wins extends Chico State's current winning streak to six and moves the Wildcats to 16-4 on the year and 8-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal Poly Humboldt has now lost six straight to drop to 7-11 overall and 3-7 in conference play.
 
The 'Cats cranked out 17 hits over the two games, with Nina Revoir leading way with four safeties on the day. Alani Nguyen had two doubles among her three hits, while Reilani Peleti, Amanda Metzger, Grace Stover, and Anastacia Alba contributing two hits apiece.
 
In the first game of the twin bill, Larsen and Cal Poly Humboldt starting pitcher Karen Di Dio traded zeroes through the first three innings before Chico State broke through with a crooked number in the top of the fourth. Metzger delivered a two-out double to chase home Revoir from second base, and Sara Mitrano immediately followed with her first career home run as a Wildcat—the two-run shot giving the 'Cats a 3-0 lead. Larsen, meanwhile, held Humboldt hitless through the first five frames.
 
Larsen lost her no-hit bid when JoAna Mullins singled with one out in the sixth inning, but the Wildcat ace continued to keep the Lumberjacks off the scoreboard. The 'Cats added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Nguyen, and that would be more than enough offense for Larsen, who set down Humboldt without incident in the bottom of the seventh to lock down Chico State's 4-0 win.
 
Larsen (10-1) struck out 11 in recording her 11th complete game and conference-leading sixth shutout of the season.
 
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the first inning of game two of the double dip. Peleti drew a two-out walk, and Nguyen promptly doubled her home. A base hit by Revoir and an error loaded the bases, and Lanie Blomquist's high chop infield single plated Nguyen to put Chico State on top 2-0.
 
Peleti extended the 'Cats' lead to 3-0 in the top of the third, leading off the inning with her first home run of the season, a monster blast that easily cleared the center field fence.
 
Chico State scored again in the top of the fifth. Nguyen doubled, and later in the inning pinch runner Alexandria Allen came home from third base on a wild pitch to make it a 4-0 contest. While the offense continued to cook, Oldwin was getting it done for the 'Cats in the circle, making big pitches in key situations, resulting in Humboldt stranding eight baserunners through the first six innings.
 
The Wildcats essentially salted the game away with three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Peleti knocked in Hailey Seva with a sacrifice fly, then Nguyen reached on an error and scored on a Revoir double to right center. Later in the frame Revoir came home courtesy of a wild pitch, and that gave Oldwin plenty of cushion to set down Humboldt in the bottom of the seventh to put the finishing touches on Chico State's 7-0 win and the doubleheader sweep.
 
Oldwin raised her record to 4-2 with the victory, striking out four on the way to her second shutout of the year.
 
The Wildcats and Cal Poly Humboldt conclude their four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action online with live streaming video via the CCAA Network. For $9.95 per month, fans can access every Chico State game—home and away—along with all live and archived CCAA matchups.
 
Live Stats will also be available, with links found at www.chicowildcats.com in the calendar section of the website's homepage, and on the Chico State softball schedule page.