HONOLULU – The Chico State softball team touched down safely on Oahu Wednesday, and before concentrating on the task at hand – a matchup with the No. 3 ranked Sea Warriors of Hawaii Pacific in the NCAA West Super Regional – the Wildcats took time to acclimate themselves to the three-hour time change and immerse themselves in some of the island culture. Players and coaches attended a traditional Hawaiian luau Wednesday night, with the knowledge that the ’Cats are just two victories away from reaching the NCAA Division II College World Series for the first time since 2002. The opener of the best-of-three Super Regional is scheduled for 5 p.m. PDT Friday, and the game will be broadcast live on the Internet. You can hear all the action by clicking here.
This is the first time Chico State and Hawaii Pacific have met this season. All-time, the Sea Warriors have won six of eight against the Wildcats.
Chico State (32-19 on the year) reached the Super Regional with a sweep of the West Sub-Regional last weekend, beating Grand Canyon University, Sonoma State and Dixie State to emerge as one of 16 teams in contention for the NCAA national championship. Of the 16 teams still standing, the Wildcats are one of just two schools not ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) top 25. Chico State enters the Super Regional Friday having won three straight and 13 of its last 15 games.
Charlotte Honciano continues to spearhead the Wildcats’ offense, leading the team with a .370 batting average, four home runs and 11 stolen bases. Christine Johnson, who was 5-for-11 during the West Sub-Regional, is batting .355 on the year, while Sam Quadt, Rachel Failla and Courtney Brock have combined to drive in 67 runs for the season. Freshman righthander Kacie McCarthy was Chico State’s go-to pitcher during the Sub-Regional, winning all three games to improve to 16-10 on the year while lowering her season ERA to 1.92 – third best among California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) hurlers. Jessica McDermott will also be a big key to the Wildcats’ success this weekend, bringing a 14-7 record and a team-high eight shutouts to the pitchers’ circle.
Pacific West Conference champion Hawaii Pacific, with a season record of 44-7, won three of four last weekend in capturing the other West Sub-Regional title. The Sea Warriors eliminated Cal State Monterey Bay before needing two games Sunday to dispatch of Central Washington University and advance to the Super Regional. Hawaii Pacific enters Friday’s contest with the Wildcats on a very positive roll, with seven wins in its last eight games.
The Sea Warriors are led by senior righthander Sherise Musquiz – the All-Pac West Pitcher of the Year enters the Super Regional with a 28-2 season record and a miniscule 0.90 ERA. Hawaii Pacific averages over five runs a game, with sophomore DP Maile Kim (leading the team with a .372 batting average, nine home runs and 45 RBI), freshman Nicole Morrow (.365/2 HR/23 RBI) and senior Ciera Senas (.346/team-high 16 stolen bases) doing most of the damage offensively.
Following Friday’s Super Regional opener, Chico State and Hawaii Pacific will meet again Saturday at 2 p.m., PDT, and if necessary, again at 4:30. The winner of the best-of-three series will advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament Elite 8 in St. Joseph, Mo., at Heritage Park May 27-31.
