SEASIDE — The Chico State and Cal State Monterey Bay softball teams squeezed in a doubleheader with storm conditions in sight across California, and the Wildcats and Otters split the two games. The Otters won game one 1-0, and the Wildcats bounced back to win game two 2-0.
The games were important for both teams, as Chico State (9-17, 8-12 California Collegiate Athletic Association) sits in eighth place in the CCAA standings and Monterey Bay (13-20, 7-13 CCAA) is in 11th.
After a scoreless first seven innings in game one, Monterey Bay’s Faith Soriano hit a walk-off inside the park solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Chico pitcher Katelyn Oldwin. Amelie Valdez tossed 5 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, three walks and struck out one, before Olden pitched the final two innings and allowed two hits, one earned run and struck out one.
Tayler Berens had two of Chico’s four hits, as the Otters out-hit Chico 7-4.
In game two Olden pitched a complete game to earn her third win of the season, allowing six hits, five walks while striking out five. Ali Lewis led Chico with two hits, both doubles, and Lewis and Hannah Levy had one RBI each. Both of Chico’s runs came in the top of the third inning.
With the two wins Saturday, Chico State took three of four games against Monterey Bay to win the series.
Chico State will return home to begin a four game series against Cal State East Bay at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday in Chico. The Wildcats and Pioneers will face off at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Wildcats have four four-game series left remaining in the regular season, before the CCAA playoffs begin May 1 at Cal State San Marcos.
