The Chico State softball team began the 2022 campaign on an extremely positive note, and as a result has positioned itself nicely in the upper reaches of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings. But with 12 regular season games remaining, the Wildcats will need to post just as positive a finish to assure themselves entry into postseason play. The 'Cats resume conference play this weekend with a four-game series against Cal State East Bay, with doubleheaders scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action online with live streaming video via the CCAA Network (a monthly fee is required to view). 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.
Chico State took a brief break from CCAA play last weekend, winning two out of three non-conference contests at the Tournament of Champions in Turlock. The Wildcats enter their home series versus Cal State East Bay 26-11 on the season, and occupying second place in the CCAA standings with a 16-8 conference record.
The 'Cats will be looking to reverse their recent fortunes. After fashioning a 12-game winning streak, Chico State has dropped seven of its last 11 contests.
The Wildcats are 4-4 at home so far this season.
Like the 'Cats, Cal State East Bay has very real postseason aspirations and is also hoping for a strong finish to secure one the six berths in next month's CCAA Tournament. The Pioneers are 19-15 overall and in sixth place in conference play with a 10-10 record.
East Bay was also at the Tournament of Champions last weekend, going 3-2 at the Pedretti Sports Complex. The Pioneers face the Wildcats having won four of their last six decisions.
Playing on the road this season, Cal State East Bay is playing .500 ball, winning 12 of 24 contests.
Statistically, the two teams are very evenly matched. Chico State ranks fifth among the 10 CCAA teams with a .289 batting average; Cal State East Bay is seventh with a team batting average of .281. In the pitcher's circle, the Wildcats are third in the conference with a combined 2.04 earned run average, while the Pioneers are fourth with a 2.16 team ERA.
This weekend's series features two of the CCAA's top hitters. The Wildcats' Nina Revoir is currently batting .389 (eighth-best in the conference), ranks second in the conference with eight home runs, and is tied for fourth with 30 runs batted in. Cal State East Bay senior infielder Sarah Fukushima is third in the CCAA with a .423 batting average and is tied for fifth in the conference with five homers on the year.
Brooke Larsen continues to be one of the elite pitchers in the CCAA, leading all conference hurlers with 16 complete games and seven shutouts while ranking second in strikeouts (158), second in opponent batting average (.187), and third in victories (13). The Pioneers counter with a pair of senior righthanders: Anamaria Beard is 9-7 on the season and is seventh in the CCAA with a 1.69 ERA, while Abby Greer is 6-7 with a 2.49 ERA. Greer's 72 strikeouts ranks seventh among conference pitchers.
Chico State leads the all-time series with Cal State East Bay 74-39, and has won 14 of the last 16 meetings. The Pioneers have not beaten the Wildcats at University Softball Field since February 25, 2017.
