CHICO, Calif. – The Wildcats showed their grit on Saturday, splitting their conference home series against Cal State Dominguez Hills as they steal both games in the closing doubleheader at Wildcat Field.

Outscoring the Toros in the final day 10-4 across the two games, the 'Cats found an offensive spark after a problematic stretch of losses since last weekend in Stanislaus. Bouncing back with two impressive wins at home extends their record to 13-9 (5-7 CCAA); with plenty of weekends left in the season, the 'Cats can still make a run for a postseason spot.

Brianna Swihart was on another level on Saturday, tallying five RBIs on three hits at the plate. The junior catcher opened up the day with an RBI and closed out with the extra-innings sacrifice fly that secured the 'Cats the second game of the day. 

Lead-off hitter Kennedy Gustin picked up another hit with a pair of RBIs against the Toros. She leads the 'Cats in hits with 27 on the season now. 

Starting the doubleheader in the circle for the Wildcats, Amelie Valdez pitched her seventh complete game and retired five Toros. She's now totaling 59 strikeouts on the season and boasting a 1.18 ERA, the second-best in the CCAA. 

In the opening game, Aiyana Curry, Brianna Swihart, and Hannah Levy all notched two hits. 

The final game of the series against the Toros was a comeback battle between the two programs, with the Toros taking an early 2-0 lead after Wildcats error in the third inning, extending it to 3-0 with a run in the fifth.

Bella Tavares stepped in during the fourth inning, sacrificing a single run but striking out two with no walks, holding CSUDH off for the remainder of the game. 

The 'Cats' immediately responded at the bottom of the fifth, cutting the deficit to a single run after Kennedy Gustin and Swihart claimed singles on opposite sides of the field. Itzel Del Los Rios found a centerfield gap to tie up the game in the following inning, giving the Wildcats more life and a chance to steal the game.

Marissa Anderson played a vital role in the comeback win, going 3 for four at the plate with two runs. The freshman did her part by getting on base, only fitting that she was the runner who made it to home plate to win the game. 

With ten hits in the closing game, the 'Cats finished the day with eighteen hits to the Toro's twelve.

Chico State softball continues to show their ability to grit their teeth collectively and battle back, not allowing their slump in Turlock to deter them from trying to get back on a winning streak. They will be back at home next week in a crucial conference series against their Northern partners, Cal Poly Humboldt.