CHICO, Calif. - The Wildcats officially open up the 2025 CCAA season with a first series win after solo home runs from Gracie Dunning and Aiyana Curry gave the Cats the boost they needed to steal the day's second game.
With the win on the final day of the series, the Chico State softball team extends their impressive record to 11-3 (3-1 CCAA) and sits in a three-way tie for second in the standings.
The top of the lineup for the Wildcats has been doing a solid job at getting on base this season, and this series was no surprise as Kennedy Gustin and Mia Santos accounted for six of the fourteen hits for the 'Cats on Saturday. Gustin is batting .435, while Santos is just behind her at .378, with most of the season still on the docket.
Game 1
The day's opening game did not tilt in favor of the Wildcats as CSUMB stole early hits from Amelie Valdez as she battled to keep the Otters at bay. An early 2-0 lead from the visitors was quickly met with a two-RBI single to left center from Gracie Dunning in the second inning.
After three following scoreless innings, the Otters strung a set of hits together mixed with Wildcat errors that would surrender a 4-2 lead—this would prove to be the final image of offense in that game, with CSUMB nabbing a win on the road in Chico.
With only a single walk, Valdez struck out five Otters in her complete game in the circle.
Game 2
The series' final game saw the first Chico State softball home run of the season in front of a home crowd; even better, there were two in a single game. Gracie Dunning only needed a single pitch in the third inning as she made solid contact in her second at-bat to homer over centerfield.
Adding to her impressive series against the Otters, Aiyana Curry added a home run of her own in the next inning, handing the 'Cats the lead, and eventually, the series won.
Bella Tavares claimed her third win in the pitching circle for the 'Cats, retiring three otters and walking two. She boasts a 0.35 ERA in four appearances of her inaugural season with the Wildcats.
Chico State softball will be on the road next weekend, returning to Turlock for a series against Stanislaus State starting on February 28th.
