IRVINE, Calif. - Another day, another pair of wins for the Chico State softball squad as they kickoff the season with a Saturday of strong softball. Picking up a strong win in the morning over PacWest opponents Biola, it was followed by another gritty win over Western Oregon to improve their record to 4-0 to begin the 2025 campaign.
Game 1 vs Biola
An incredible offensive showing from the Wildcats in their 9-1 win over the Eagles to kickoff their day and extend their record to 3-0 on the weekend. The Wildcats struck first in the second inning and refused to slow down for the rest of the game.
Ali Lewis smashed her first at-bat over the fences for her second home run of the weekend, eventually followed by a home run from Gracie Dunning in the following inning.
Mia Santos earned an RBI in the fourth inning with a perfect single to center field, extending their lead to 3-0.
The fifth inning saw the Wildcats pull ahead as Tiana Johnson blasted their third home run over the Biola outfield, pushing three runs across the plate. Santos claimed two more RBIs after two more hits to left field drove Dahlila Hall and Kennedy Gustin home to push the score to 8-0. Aiyana Curry closed out the scoring with a double to left center, allowing Santos to move home from second base in the 7th inning.
Biola tried eliminating the deficit but was subsequently shut down by the combination of Amalie Valdez and Bella Tavares. Valdez struck out four batters in six innings in the circle, the junior only giving up two hits in the offensive display from the 'Cats. Tavares closed out the seventh inning with a strikeout of her own for the first time on the field for the 'Cats.
Santos notched a team-high four hits against Biola, while Gustin extended her hitting streak with two hits.
Game 2 vs. Western Oregon University
Kennedy Gustin was on a tear as the Wildcat's lead-off hitter against Western Oregon with three hits. At the same time, freshman Kylie Loertscher dominated in her second start of the weekend, earning her second win as a Wildcat from the circle.
Loertscher retired eight batters from WOU, recording not a single walk on the day. Pitching her first complete game of the season, she only gave up two runs against the Wolves, still managing to minimize any threats to their lead.
The Wolves struck first in the fourth inning, but after the single run lead from WOU, Chico State scored three successive runs in the fifth. Impressively, all three runs were scored by three consecutive hits from batters in the order. It began with a single from Mia Santos that gave Gracie Dunning the go-ahead to advance home from third, and it ended with Santos scoring from a sacrifice fly from Aiyana Curry.
The 2025 Chico State softball team looks solid in all areas, showcasing a strong recruiting season for head coach Angel Shamblin. The Wildcats are now 4-0 through the season's first four games and have no outscored opponents 18 to 4 in their opening tournament.
Chico State will close out the Kickoff Classic with a final game tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. against Chaminade (PacWest).
