Phenomenal pitching lifted the Chico State softball team to a 6-3 win over Hawaii Pacific on April 1, in the second game of the State Tournament of Champions, in Turlock.

The win extends the Wildcats’ win streak to four and their overall record to 22-10. They have improved their conference record to 17-9 and are ranked third in the CCAA.

Chico State was led by sophomore Haley Gilham, who racked up 15 strikeouts, the most the team has had in a single game this season. Gilham allowed seven hits and walked two players, and set another season record for batter’s hit by the pitch at two.

Gilham opened the game with a strikeout, but ended up with the bases loaded after two consecutive hits and a walk. Hawaii Pacific was able to score the first run of the game off a RBI single before getting their third out off a fly ball to left field.

Hawaii Pacific extended their lead to 0-2 in the third inning after hitting another RBI single to left field. The ‘Cats were able to come back in the third inning because of two errors commuted by Hawaii Pacific and three consecutive RBIs. The batting performance gave the Wildcats a 5-2 lead.

Hawaii Pacific was able to score on an error in the fourth inning and cut Chico State’s lead to 6-3. They were unable to continue their successful batting performance and were put away with three strikeouts.

The ‘Cats gained their final run in the fifth inning by scoring on a sacrifice fly, their fourth RBI of the game.

Hawaii Pacific was unable to rally their team in the seventh inning and were defeated by Gilham’s successful pitching.

The next series will be at home against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday, April 8.

Kenta McAfee can be reached at [email protected] or @KentaMcAfee on Twitter.