ROHNERT PARK—When the Chico State softball team erupted for eight runs Friday in its series opener against nationally-ranked Sonoma State, the Wildcats' confidence level was understandably sky-high. The following three games, however, saw the 'Cats offense unable to match their eye-opening offensive outburst, and on Saturday the No. 11 Seawolves put just enough runs on the scoreboard to squeak out a doubleheader sweep and a series win, edging the 'Cats 2-1 in game one and posting a 4-2 victory in the nightcap.
Chico State dropped to 17-18 on the season with Saturday's doubleheader loss, but more importantly, the Wildcats slipped to seventh place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings with a 10-12 conference mark. The 'Cats now trail San Francisco State by percentage points in the battle for sixth place and a CCAA Tournament berth.
Chico State collected a combined 12 hits on the day. Grace Stover racked up four hits, including three in Saturday's doubleheader nightcap. Anastacia Alba and Ashley Rocha contributed two hits apiece, while Tayler Berens knocked in all three Wildcat runs on the afternoon.
Amelie Valdez, who tossed her first career Chico State no-hitter in Friday's series opener, wasn't quite as sharp in game one of Saturday's doubleheader. The freshman righthander's defense let her down in the bottom of the second inning, as a Wildcat error contributed to Sonoma State plating the first run of the ballgame. In the bottom of the third, Valdez surrendered a pair of doubles to see the Seawolves extend their lead to 2-0.
The 'Cats, held hitless over the first three frames by Sonoma State starting pitcher Bailee Reed, were able to get a runner in scoring position in the fourth and fifth inning but came away empty each time.
With Katelyn Oldwin keeping Chico State close with three-and-a-third innings of scoreless relief, the Wildcats finally broke through in the top of the sixth when Alba scored from third base on a Berens sacrifice fly, cutting Sonoma State's lead in half.
A two-out error by the Seawolves in the top of the seventh kept the Wildcats' comeback hopes alive, but with the potential tying run aboard, Lanie Blomquist's line drive was snared by Sonoma first baseman Skylar Linnane to end the game, giving the Seawolves the 2-1 win.
Sonoma State jumped out to a sizeable lead in game two of Saturday's twin bill, scoring two runs in the first inning and two more in the second to jump on top 4-0. Chico State answered in the top of the third—back-to-back singles by Stover and Rachael Bles, a sacrifice bunt by Alba, and a two-out single up the middle by Berens made the score 4-2.
The Wildcats threatened again in the top of the fifth when Ashley Rocha led off the inning with a single, but was thrown out at home trying to score on a base hit by Stover. In the sixth, Hailey Seva got into scoring position by ripping a two-out double down the left field line, but was stranded, keeping the score at 4-2.
Chico State didn't go down without one more attempt to knot up the contest. Singles by Rocha and Stover and a walk to Berens in the top of the seventh inning loaded the bases with two outs. But once again, the lack of a clutch hit proved the Wildcats' ultimate downfall, as a popup to shortstop ended the game. Sonoma State held on for the 4-2 victory, the doubleheader sweep, and the series win.
Chico State continues its 12 games in nine days slate this Monday and Tuesday when they return home to take on Cal Poly Humboldt. The four-game series—originally scheduled in February, but not played due to a rainout—begins with a doubleheader Monday at 1 p.m., followed by a Tuesday twin bill starting at 11 a.m.
