CHICO, Calif. – It was officially billed as Senior Day at University Softball Field, but you could just as easily referred to Saturday as “Gwen Cox Day”…following a pre-game ceremony honoring Cox – the lone Wildcats senior – she tied the Chico State record for most stolen bases in a season and doubled home the game-winner in a 4-3 victory over San Francisco State in the opener of the series-ending doubleheader with the Gators. San Francisco State spoiled what would have been a perfect afternoon for the ’Cats by shading Chico State in the nightcap 2-1.
In the first game of the twinbill pitchers Lauren Walker of the Wildcats and Ashley Jackson of the Gators traded zeroes for the first three innings, but San Francisco State broke through in the top of the fourth when Lea Cardenas blasted a solo homer to left field. Chico State knotted up the contest in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Reina Andreatta, but in the top of the fifth Kendra Wood put the Gators back on top with a run-scoring double, then came home on Kelsey Wood’s single to center to make it a 3-1 game. In the bottom of the fifth the ’Cats tied it when Sam Quadt scored on a throwing error and Bec Johnson knocked in Cox with a single to left. Chico State took its first and only lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth – with two down and pinch runner Christine Johnson at second, Cox one-hopped the left field fence with a booming double to put the Wildcats up 4-3. The Gators got the tying run aboard in the top of the seventh, but Walker was able to secure the final three outs to give Chico State the victory and end the ’Cats five-game losing streak. Walker went the distance to earn the win and improve to 9-16 on the season; Jackson (14-8) took the loss for San Francisco State. Cox, Andreatta and Christina Wieck each had two hits to lead Chico State’s offensive attack. Cox also swiped her 25th base of the year, tying her with Kari Hawkins for most stolen bases by a Wildcat in a single season.
Game two began as another pitcher’s duel, with Chico State’s Jessica McDermott striking out four Gators batters in the first two innings. The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Charlotte Honciano scored from second on a two-base throwing error, but San Francisco State answered back in the fourth – Arianna Welch tied the game with an RBI double to left, then scored on a base hit by Karolyn Gubbine to put the Gators in front 2-1. The ’Cats wasted a scoring opportunity by leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, then stranded a runner in scoring position in the sixth. Still trailing by a run, Chico State threatened again in the bottom of the seventh, getting the potential tying run to second…but just as she did Friday, Jackson came in to relieve San Francisco State starter Vanessa Truan and got the final outs necessary to preserve the Gators 2-1 victory and earn a split of the doubleheader. Truan (6-5) was the winning pitcher, with Jackson notching her second save of the season; McDermott (8-19) struck out seven in a complete game effort, but was saddled with the loss. Sam Quadt had two of the three ’Cats hits in the contest.
With a win and a loss Saturday, Chico State moved to 18-35 on the season and 6-26 in the CCAA…San Francisco State’s overall record is now 27-20, 9-15 in conference play.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday when they host Academy of Art University for a doubleheader at University Softball Field. Game one’s first pitch is scheduled for noon.
GAME ONE - Box Score
GAME TWO - Box Score