CARSON - The Chico State softball team officially opened up the CCAA conference in Southern California against the defending conference tournament champion Cal State Dominguez Hills in a rematch from the championship game last May. The Wildcats are bringing a new squad to face off against an experienced group of Toros.
After dropping their conference openers on Friday, the Wildcats sit at 0-5 to start the 2024 season. However, coach Angel Shamblin has brought together a very young squad with incredible potential to be a special group. It will take some time for them to flow into their offense, but they have shown glimpses of great softball in the past couple of weeks.
Game one showcased a very experienced Toros team at the plate, hitting almost anything thrown at them. Despite the score's margin, the Wildcats were not making fielding mistakes that caused any extra runs or bases to be given up. Against four Wildcats pitchers, the home side strung together 13 runs on 14 hits and three walks.
Mia Santos and Elisa Haas were the two 'Cats to record a hit in the first game, with the entire team's batting improving in the second after tallying six hits in their 3-6 loss. Destiny Sevilla led the team in the tight loss, recording two hits and two RBIs, which helped give the Wildcats the lead at one point in the game.
Game two was a better example of the talented Wildcats, taking the early lead in the second inning by two runs thanks to Sevilla's single that drove Hannah Levy and Taylor Berens home.
The Toros were able to jump to a one-run lead during their turn to bat, but a single from Mia Santos in the fourth inning tied up the game as she dropped the ball in left field to give Gracie Dunning adequate time to cross home plate.
Dominguez Hills repeated what happened in the second inning, scoring a run to take a one-run advantage over the 'Cats. A miscommunication from the defense allowed the leading run to advance to third base under the Wildcats ' noses. After the Toros' fourth run found home plate after a single to left field, managing to shut out Chico State to hold on for the win, taking both games on Friday.
A veteran Toros pitcher stepped into the circle in the third inning, retiring seven 'Cats with a single walk and only allowing one run to score. But, they stole four hits off of the strong right-handed pitcher, Brianna Swihart, batting a double in her first time facing the substitute.
Katelyn Oldwin pitched the entirety of the second game, striking out three Toros. The Wildcats again did not make a single fielding error, proving that it is just a matter of time before their defensive and offensive begin to show cohesion on the field.
Back at the Toro Diamond tomorrow, games three and four of the series against the defending conference champions will begin at 11 a.m., with the final game at 1 p.m. in Carson.
