IRVINE—Four games into the 2023 season, the Chico State softball team has already proven you can't count the Wildcats out of any contest. Three times—including twice Saturday at the Concordia Kickoff Classic—the 'Cats have come from behind to take the lead. The final results during day two's action weren't quite what the Wildcats were hoping for, though, dropping a 4-3 decision to Western Washington after registering a 6-4 win over Biola University.
The Saturday split moves Chico State's record to 2-2 on the young season.
The 'Cats collected a combined 12 hits over the two Saturday contests. Anastacia Alba racked up three hits, while Ashlee Toy and Grace Gallagher each delivered two hits and a pair of runs batted in on the day.
The Wildcats started the day against 3-0 Biola, and the Eagles wasted no time getting on the board, stringing together two singles, a sacrifice bunt, and a sac fly to plate a run in the top of the first inning. A one-out RBI single by Brie Nowak in the top of the third stretched the Eagles' lead to 2-0.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Chico State sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six times. Ashley Rocha knotted up the contest with a base hit that drove in Blaire Willson and Laney Berkowitz, then Gallagher followed with a bases-loaded single to chase home Rocha and Toy. Before the inning was over, Grace Stover scored on a single by Alba, and Gallagher came home from third base on a passed ball, extending the 'Cats' advantage to 6-2.
Biola cut the deficit in half with two runs in the top of the sixth, but Mari Takeda Bajan came on in relief to get the final two outs of the inning and then retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the deal on Chico State's 6-4 victory.
Toy picked up her first win of the season in relief, while Takeda Bajan got credit for her first save of the 2023 campaign.
In the Wildcats' afternoon game against Western Washington, the Vikings drew first blood in the bottom of the second inning, combining a pair of two-out singles with a Chico State throwing error to go up 1-0. Another 'Cats miscue in the bottom of the fifth inning led to Western Washington's second run of the contest.
Once again, the Wildcats dug deep and rallied to take the lead. Gallagher led off the top of the sixth inning with a single to right, followed by a walk to Tayler Berens and an infield single by Alba. Kyra Gooler then singled home pinch runner Mia Santos to get Chico State on the board, and a two-run single by Toy plated Alba and Gooler to put the 'Cats up 3-2.
Western Washington quickly tied the score in the bottom of the sixth, and in the seventh the Vikings took advantage of a leadoff walk and eventually scored the game-winning run on a fielder's choice grounder, handing the Wildcats a disappointing 4-3 defeat.
Amelie Valdez started in the pitcher's circle for Chico State, allowing two earned runs in five-and-two-thirds innings of work. Takeda Bajan was charged with the loss.
The Wildcats play their final game of the Concordia Kickoff Classic Sunday, when they take on Colorado Christian at 9 a.m. Fans can follow the action online via Live Stats, with links accessible on the Wildcat Athletics homepage and the softball schedule page.
