CHICO – A split against the Pioneers on Friday was followed up with another split on Saturday, with both teams leaving with two in their pockets. The bats weren't ringing as much as in the opening two games, with Saturday's outcomes being decided by the slimmest of margins.
Two wins at home improve the 'Cats to 10-14 in CCAA play, keeping them in 8th in the conference standings but far from out of the chase for a postseason berth. Cal Poly Humboldt is sitting just above Chico State, which skirts the edge of a postseason spot at 8-11. San Francisco State holds the sixth spot and occupies the final place, securing a spot for the postseason. Both teams are upcoming on the Wildcats schedule, and three regular-season weekends are left.
Game 1: Chico State 2, CSUEB 1
Amelie Valdez was given the nod to start the day off in the circle for the Wildcats, striking out five and only giving up three hits and one walk in her sixth win. After forfeiting a home run in the sixth inning, Katelyn Oldwin was called to close out the stupendous game from Valdez, earning her third save of the season.
Both pitchers are two of the top on the conference strikeouts list, holding the fourth and fifth spots with almost 70 strikeouts each.
The two runs scored by the 'Cats in the bottom of the fourth proved to be the decider despite the shot over the fence by the Pioneers. Ali Lewis started the sequence with a double into left field, putting herself in a great scoring position with only a single out on the board.
Catcher Brianna Swihart singled to third base with a brutal blast to third base that caught the infielder off guard, filling two bases with Katelyn Oldwin on deck. Oldwin connected with a pitch that was lofted toward left field; a bounce off the wrist of the left fielder gave both Swihart and Lewis the go-ahead to come home, breaking the deadlock in favor of the 'Cats.
Oldwin is batting .296 on the year with 27 at-bats, recording four RBIs on her eight hits.
Game 2: Chico State 2, CSUEB 4
A late rally from the 'Cats came up short after a decisive offensive first inning from the Pioneers shot them to a 3-0 lead early into the series finale.
The Pioneers gave Marissa Quintero the start on the final game, the Pioneers strongest arm in the circle with a 1.75 ERA, the second-best in the CCAA.
In the final two innings, the Wildcats were able to string some offense together, with Mia Santos opening up the inning with her fifth hit of the series. Freshman Hannah Levy connected with a fastball behind the left fielder's head, earning her two bases and advancing Santos into scoring position.
Oldwin continued her hot streak of crucial at-bats in the offensive player position in the lineup, singling to left field and easing Santos over home base.
Senior Taylor Berens showed her composure at the plate in the final inning, smashing a triple into center field that pushed Karlie Bilbrey home, cutting the deficit to only two. However, the comeback was cut short, and the 'Cats settled with the series split.
Despite the slow start to the season, the Wildcats have been claiming two or three wins in conference showdowns, and the young squad is not prepared to lay down yet, with plenty of CCAA action to be played.
Chico State will take a short bus ride to Humboldt for a vital series against Cal Poly Humboldt, the Lumberjacks standing in their way of climbing into a conference championship spot.
