Starting pitcher Alex Molina did her best Babe Ruth impression. She pitched and hit the ball through rain or shine.

Because of her accomplishments on the mound and at the plate, the former Chico State softball player has been nominated for the 2014 Wildcat of the Year.

“I had great hitting coaches growing up and I’ve always stuck with those fundamentals,” Molina said. “When I came to Chico State, I had coaches that were willing and open-minded enough to let pitchers also hit.”

Along with her 12 wins, 3.09 ERA and 72 strikeouts, she was able to hit two home runs and rack up eight RBI’s.

And on March 3 in a game against top-ranked Humboldt State, Molina had a game she will never forget.

“It was pouring that day and we weren’t sure if we were going to play,” she said. “I remember the rain hitting me in my face and it was a struggle.”

When they played that day, Molina made the most of it.

“When I got that grand slam, it was surreal,” she said. “I hit it and I couldn’t believe it. I finally realized it when I got back into the dugout.”

The Wildcats ended up winning that game 8-7.

Another one of Molina’s highlights was against UC San Diego. After pitching a complete game in game one of a doubleheader, she came back and saved the second game by pitching 2.2 innings. For both games she would pitch a total of 8.2 innings.

“I didn’t really have much left,” Molina said. “I took it pitch-by-pitch and my presence on the mound projected on the whole team.”

Molina said she wants to finish her schooling at Chico State and has one more year to get her teaching credential. She also has other offers to ponder.

“I have gotten some offers to play overseas,” she said. “I also got an offer to be an assistant coach at the junior college I went to.”

Whatever Molina decides to do, one thing’s for sure: she wants to continue her softball career.

Angelo Boscacci can be reached at [email protected] or @boscacci6 on Twitter.