It seems like almost yesterday that the Chico State softball team was lifting the lid on the 2023 season. But with the calendar hitting mid-February, the Wildcats already have eight games under their belts, and are about to dive headlong into a competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference schedule. The 'Cats' first CCAA contests happen this weekend, when they host Cal State Monterey Bay at University Softball Field. The four-game series opens with a doubleheader Friday beginning at 12 noon, followed by a Saturday twin bill starting at 11 a.m.
Fans unable to attend can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video, with links located on the Wildcat Athletics homepage and the softball schedule page. Accessing the live video stream requires a monthly subscription fee that grants users access to every CCAA event on the network, home and away.
Chico State enters the conference-opening series 5-3 on the season and in riding a three-game winning streak. After going 2-3 to open the season at the Concordia Kickoff Classic, the Wildcats returned home last weekend to beat Academy of Art 1-0 Friday and 10-2 on Saturday, as well as hand Stanislaus State a 7-3 defeat in a non-conference matchup Saturday.
The Wildcats' offense is currently ranked third among the 10 CCAA teams with a collective .282 batting average. Chico State is also second in runs scored (37) and tied for second with 20 stolen bases on the young season.
The 'Cats' pitching staff is fourth in the conference, sporting a 1.74 team earned run average. Chico State is second in opponent batting average (1.88) and third in strikeouts (42).
Individually, Grace Gallagher's .417 batting average is ninth in the CCAA, and her 10 hits are tied for seventh conference-wide. Ashlee Toy (.379 batting average) is tied for third in the CCAA in stolen bases (4), tied for fourth in hits (11), and tied for seventh in runs batted in (5). Anastacia Alba (.391 BA) is tied for third in the conference with four stolen bases; Tayler Berens (.278) is sixth in on-base percentage (.519), and Ashley Rocha (.250) and Grace Stover (.192) are tied for eighth in the CCAA with three stolen bases.
In the pitcher's circle, reigning CCAA Pitcher of the Week Amelie Valdez leads the CCAA in opponent batting average (.147), is tied for the conference lead in shutouts (2), and is among the CCAA leaders in wins (3), complete games (3), earned run average (1.11), and strikeouts (26).
Cal State Monterey Bay comes to Chico sporting a 3-4 record on the year. The Otters began the season dropping three of five decisions at the February 3–5 Concordia Kickoff Classic, then wrapped up non-conference play last Saturday with a doubleheader split against Biola University.
The Otters as a team are batting .247 through their first seven games, while the Monterey Bay pitching staff ranks second in the CCAA with a 1.49 ERA.
Senior outfielder Ivana Perez and freshman catcher Jessica Kim are the Otters' top two hitters in the early going, with both batting .375. In the pitcher's circle, senior righthander Cassie Gasper owns an impressive 1.67 ERA despite a 1-3 record.
When Chico State and Monterey Bay met last season, the Wildcats and Otters split a four game series February 18–19 in Seaside. Dating back to the 2006 season, the 'Cats lead the all-time series 40-36.
FEBRUARY BASIC NEEDS DRIVE
If you're planning to attend either the Friday or Saturday softball games in person, don't forget to bring canned goods and necessities to Acker Gym and help "Pack the Pantry!"
In conjunction with the CCAA's Basic Needs Drive during the month of February, Chico State Athletics is asking our generous fans to help support students dealing with food insecurities. Please consider donating canned food and/or toiletry items when you attend the Wildcat softball games Friday or Saturday at University Softball Field (or at Acker Gym for the Thursday or Saturday night basketball games). A table will be set up at University Softball Field to accept your donations. Dropoff tables will also be available in the Acker Gym lobby for the Chico State basketball games.
Cash donations will also be accepted at the games. You can also make a cash donation online by CLICKING HERE.
All items and cash donations will go directly to the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, which provides vital support, nutrition, and other necessities to thousands of Chico State students—including student-athletes.
Let's come together as a "Wildcat Family" and make February's Basic Needs Drive an overwhelming success!
