CHICO - A strong response from the Wildcats in the opening doubleheader against Cal State East Bay nabbed the second game of the series on Friday, continuing their winning trend after the halfway point of the season.
The Wildcats have collected four wins in the last six outings, coming off a vital series win over the Otters.
After going 1-1 on Friday, the Wildcats improve to 9-13 in conference play, earning their tenth season win.
Game 1: Chico 0, CSU East Bay 5
The opening game on Friday was a tough go at the plate for the 'Cats; Marissa Quintero pitched an outstanding game in her eleventh win with the Pioneers.
Brianna Swihart and Mia Santos were the sole Wildcats to rally any offense in the opening game loss.
Game 2: Chico 7, CSU East Bay 0
Shortly after the offensive drought, the Wildcats responded immaculately, scoring six runs in a single inning with nine different 'Cats recording hits.
Katelyn Oldwin earned her fourth win in the circle, striking out ten Pioneers and only walking three in her complete game dominance. Oldwin is currently pitching a 1.71 ERA, holds 72 strikeouts in her junior season, and boasts the second-best ERA in the CCAA and the fourth-most strikeouts.
Mia Santos kicked off the third inning scoring rally, singling to right field and quickly reaching first base. Lead-off Taylor Berens, batting .330 in her senior season, smashed her first hit into right-center for her second triple of the season and drove Santos home for the early lead.
Santos is batting .313, holding 21 hits in her sophomore season.
Lily Cante continued the barrage of hits, singling to left center and allowing Berens to walk across home base. Hannah Levy tallied a single to center field in the next at-bat, adding a base runner.
Ali Lewis, batting .284 in her first season with the 'Cats, smashed her second double of the season, Lily Cante scoring in the process. Three more runs were added to the scoreboard after hits from Brianna Swihart and Italia Abrenica. The Wildcats hit through the entire lineup in the inning, amassing an insurmountable six-run lead. Swihart added another run for good measure in the fifth following Elisa Haas forcing the Pioneers to push the ball towards first and giving Swihart the green light to score.
Chico State will continue the CCAA conference series against the Cal State University East Bay Pioneers on Saturday; the first pitch will be at noon at Wildcats Softball Field.
