KANEOHE, Hawaii – The Chico State softball team kept its postseason train a-rollin’ Friday, downing Hawaii Pacific University 5-0 Friday to take the opener of the best-of-three NCAA West Super Regional at Okita Field in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Freshman righthander Kacie McCarthy tossed a complete game four-hitter and was supported by a 10-hit Chico State attack as the ’Cats posted their fourth straight postseason win, and now sit in a very enviable position – Chico State has two chances Saturday to win one game and advance to the NCAA Division II College World Series. Saturday's action begins at 2 p.m. PDT...you can here it live by clicking here.
The Wildcats, who have won 14 of their last 16 games, improved to 33-19 on the year with Friday’s victory. Hawaii Pacific, the No. 3 ranked team in the nation and who had lost just two games at home the entire season, dipped to 44-8 on the season.
Despite the final score, it appeared early on like it wouldn’t be the Wildcats’ day. After being set down in order by Sea Warriors pitcher Sherise Musquiz in the top of the first inning, Hawaii Pacific used two singles and a hit batter to load the bases in the bottom of the first. McCarthy wiggled out of the jam unscathed by getting Musquiz to ground back to the box to end the frame…and the momentum suddenly swung Chico State’s way. The Wildcats loaded the bases in the top of the second inning, and Kelly Head – who drove in only six runs the entire season – knocked in Courtney Brock and Bec Johnson with a single to right to give the ’Cats the early lead. In the top of the third singles by Charlotte Honciano and Christine Johnson, a double steal and a Sam Quadt sacrifice fly resulted in another run to put Chico State up 3-0.
The Wildcats – who laid down five sacrifice bunts on the day – executed to perfection to take a 4-0 in the top of the fourth inning, as Jenna Wermes led off with a base hit to center, was sacrificed to second by Brock, and scored on a Rachel Failla single to left. In the top of the fifth Chico State took advantage of a Hawaii Pacific miscue as Sam Quadt reached on a throwing error, was sacrificed to second by Brock, and came home on a line single to left by Wermes to extend the Wildcats’ advantage to 5-0.
McCarthy, who had set down 10 batters in a row, ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth, as the Sea Warriors used a base hit, walk and hit batter to load the bases with two outs. Maile Kim, Hawaii Pacific’s top hitter, stepped to the plate with an opportunity to get the Sea Warriors back into the contest, but McCarthy got Kim to line out to Head in right field to once again post a zero on the Sea Warriors’ side of the scoreboard. Hawaii Pacific got the leadoff hitter aboard in the bottom of the seventh, but any hopes of a late-inning comeback were dashed when Bec Johnson snared Ciera Senas’ line shot to third and turned into a game-ending double play to lock down the Wildcats’ 5-0 victory.
McCarthy (17-10) struck out four en route to her seventh shutout and 18th complete game of the season…Musquiz (28-3) allowed just three earned runs but was tagged with the loss for the Sea Warriors. Four Wildcat hitters – Brock, Wermes, Failla and Christine Johnson – had two hits on the day.
BOX SCORE
Chico State and Hawaii Pacific square off again Saturday at 2 p.m. PDT in game two of the West Super Regional. If the Wildcats win, they advance to next weekend’s College World Series in St. Joseph, Missouri. If a game three is necessary Saturday to determine the Super Regional winner, it will start at approximated 4:45 PDT.
