TURLOCK—Games decided by a single run are certainly exciting for fans, but they are frequently excruciating for the teams that play them. They can make or break a season, and so far in 2023 the Chico State softball team has been the victim of one-run outcomes more often than being the victor. The Wildcats are 5-6 on the year in one-run decisions, including Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Western Oregon to wrap up the three-day Tournament of Champions, presented by the City of Turlock.
After winning its first two Tournament of Champions contests, Chico State lost its last three games in Turlock—all by one run—to finish the tourney 2-3. Sunday's setback dropped the Wildcats' overall record to 13-15 on the season.
Western Oregon opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, as a two-out RBI single by Bella Valdes game the Wolves the early lead. Chico State knotted up the contest in the top of the third, with Tayler Berens plating Rachael Bles from third on a bases-loaded groundout.
Both teams threatened to jump on top in the fifth inning—Chico State got runners to second and third in the top of the frame but came away empty, and Western Oregon loaded the bases but couldn't score in the bottom of the fifth.
The score remained 1-1 through regulation, prompting extra innings. In the top of the eighth the Wildcats went out in front—with Mia Santos at second base, Berens laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Santos to third, and Grace Gallagher reached on a sac bunt as Santos beat the throw to the plate.
The Wildcats' first lead of the day would not last. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Western Oregon took advantage of a walk and a pair of Chico State throwing errors to score the tying and winning runs to pull out the 3-2 victory.
Bles had two of the Wildcats' four hits on the day, with Santos and Grace Stover accounting for Chico State's other two hits.
Chico State returns home to University Softball Field and two California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play next weekend, as the Wildcats take on No. 23 Cal State Dominguez Hills in a four-game set. The series kicks off with a Friday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m., followed by a Saturday twin bill beginning at 11 a.m.
