CHICO, Calif. - Chico State softball returned to Wildcat Softball Field for the first time since last spring, hosting Jessup University in a Friday doubleheader. The two Northern California programs split the day, with both teams leaning on strong pitching performances to secure their respective wins.
Jessup entered the weekend fresh off a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series championship run last season and a third-place finish in the PacWest during its inaugural NCAA Division II campaign. The teams last met at the Tournament of Champions in Turlock a year ago, where the Wildcats earned a 12–2 victory. This time around, the matchup ended in an even split.
With the results, Chico State moves to 3–4 on the season and has one remaining non-conference tournament on the schedule to close out February.
Game 1 | Chico State 8, Jessup 0 (6 innings)
Bella Tavares delivered a composed and dominant performance in the circle to open the day, striking out nine batters while allowing no walks or runs in a complete-game shutout. The outing marked her first win of the season and set the tone for the Wildcats' offense.
Chico State chipped away with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings before breaking the game open in the sixth, capitalizing on loaded bases for an explosive offensive finish.
Freshman Lucy Sherburne sparked the lineup from the leadoff spot, recording two hits and an RBI. Seven different Wildcats collected hits in the run-rule victory, with Italia Abrenica and Brianna Swihart each driving in two runs.
Game 2 | Jessup 3, Chico State 1
Jessup responded in the second game of the doubleheader, using strong pitching from Korrie Almond to secure the win. Peyton Wells earned the start for Chico State, striking out two batters, before Amelie Valdez entered in relief to pitch the final four innings. Valdez kept the Wildcats within reach, striking out six without issuing a walk across 15 batters faced.
Aiyana Curry provided the Wildcats' lone run with her first home run of the season in the sixth inning, trimming the deficit to two. Any momentum was quickly halted, however, as Jessup's Neva Adams shut down the rally with six putouts in left field.
Chico State will hit the road next for the NorCal Preview, hosted by Cal Poly Humboldt in Tracy, California. The Wildcats open the tournament on February 27 against Biola (PacWest) and will face four GNAC opponents over the weekend, including a rematch with Western Washington to close the event on Sunday, March 1.
