CHICO - The Wildcats opened up their home schedule on a positive note, securing the first win of their 2024 campaign, besting the Coyotes in the first game of the doubleheader 2-1. The Wildcats secured their first win of the season, improving to 1-7 (1-4 CCAA). Friday's doubleheader looked much different than last year's three-game series in San Bernardino, with the Wildcats stealing a win from the Coyotes and battling in their second-game loss.
Game one of Friday's doubleheader was an impressive defensive showing from the 'Cats, Amelie Valdez putting on a clinic from the circle, retiring seven and walking only three. Despite the Coyotes outhitting Chico State, their base runners were left stranded, with their only run coming from a second-inning homerun from Sarah Moite.
Senior Taylor Berens led the way for her team, recording two hits on four appearances at the plate, her second hit setting up the tying runner on third, filling the bases in the fifth, and allowing Mia Santos to bring KarlieBilbrey home with a single to left field and managing to keep the bases loaded. Lilly Cante was the next Wildcat at-bat, and sound perception at the plate saw her walking to first base and bringing the lead run across the home.
Italia Abrenica and Elisa Haas recorded hits in the home opening win over the Coyotes.
Katelyn Oldwin stepped in for teammate Valdez to close out the win in the sixth inning, striking out one and no walks in 6 batters faced.
Game two resulted in a late-game hitting spree from the Coyotes and two costly errors from the Wildcats that edged the visitors to the win.
Taylor Berens, batting a .414 average this season, tied up the game in the third inning with a single to left field. She recorded two hits, one as a double, against the Coyotes, bringing her season total to twelve after nine games.
Shannon Galliano from CSU San Bernardino was flawless against the Wildcats, recording four hits on four times at the plate, dropping two hits into left field, and giving the Coyotes the 3-1 win.
The Wildcats will be back at Wildcats Softball Field tomorrow for the final two games of the CCAA conference series. The first pitch will be at 11 a.m., followed by the last game at 1 p.m., along with all the action on the CCAA network.
