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The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Big hits, strong pitching give Chico State 3 straight

Published 2010-03-02T00:00:00Z”/>

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Dane Stivers

The Chico State softball team certainly saved the best for last.

The Wildcats ended their two-day weekend of doubleheaders on a three-game winning streak, dropping the first game to Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday before winning the nightcap and sweeping them the following day.

The final game Sunday afternoon was the most exhilarating, as an 11-inning come-from-behind thriller capped off the Wildcats four-game homestand against the conference rival.

The game was tight through seven innings, as both teams struggled to produce any offense against Chico State pitcher Jessica McDermott and Dominguez Hill’s pitcher Stephanie Jimenez.

A late sixth-inning single by centerfielder Sam Quadt was the ‘Cats first big hit of the afternoon, tying the game at one apiece heading into the final inning.

The game remained tied until the 10th, when Toros’ shortstop Emily McEwen belted a sacrifice fly into left center field, allowing teammate Katie Garcia to score from third. But the home team would respond in the bottom half, converting on a wild double-steal attempt that scored one Wildcat, as another was called out.

It wasn’t until the 11th inning that Chico State pulled ahead for the first time, 3-2, when third baseman Rebecca Johnson smashed a game-ending single into right-center, causing the crowd of 105 to erupt in excitement as second baseman Charlotte Honciano scored easily from third base.

“It was time to end it,” Johnson said. “Everything was set up perfectly. I’m really excited to perform for the team, especially in the clutch like that.”

It was the team’s ability to put runs on the board and start getting the offense together that had them feeling good, Johnson said.

This was also apparent in Sunday’s first game, where the ‘Cats scratched nine runs on the board by the fifth inning to the Toros’ one, causing the head umpire to call the game on the mercy rule.

Quadt powered the Wildcat offense with six hits in eight at-bats Sunday, while pitchers McDermott and Kacie McCarthy pitched brilliantly, allowing a combined two runs, one unearned, through nearly 14 innings and striking out seven.

Garcia led the Toros with four hits on the day, scoring two of her team’s three runs.Saturday’s early game left the Wildcats frustrated for the only time all weekend, as they lost 3-2 in another tight one.

Though their defense kept them in the game, it was their lack of offense that did them in, as the ‘Cats were repeatedly left pawing at the air while trying to make contact with pitches out of the strike zone.

Sophomore catcher Reina Andreatta’s fourth-inning sacrifice fly to tie the game at one was the only RBI for the Wildcats.

The second game of Saturday’s double-header was also thrilling, as the ‘Cats pounced to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning and looked to be in complete control.

But after scoring one run apiece in the second and third innings, the Toros bulled their way back even with the Wildcats, scoring three runs in the fourth to level the score at five.

The previously raucous home crowd sat back in stunned silence as McDermott was pulled in favor of Caitlin Byrne with just one out in the fourth inning. The Wildcats’ once-comfortable lead now demoted to a recent memory.

Byrne and the Wildcats would get out of the inning with no further damage, successfully stopping the bleeding after Byrne got two quick Toro outs.

It was Chico State’s two runs in the bottom of the fifth, bringing the score to 7-5, that proved to be the difference as the Wildcats salvaged an opening-day split of the doubleheader, despite giving up the big lead.

Chico State head coach Angel Shamblin wasn’t happy about giving up a big lead, but was confident in her team’s resilience, she said.

“We followed the example of Caitlin, we were able to stay relaxed,” Shamblin said. “We certainly didn’t want to give up a five-run lead. But we realized there was a lot of game still ahead of us.”

It was the Johnson sisters who led the way for the ‘Cats on Saturday, as both Christine and Rebecca had a combined six hits, half of which were doubles.

The Wildcat’s next home game is against Oregon Tech at noon, Friday. Dane Stivers can be reached at <a href= “javascript:void(location.href=’mailto:’+String.fromCharCode(100,115,116,105,118,101,114,115,64,116,104,101,111,114,105,111,110,46,99,111,109)+’?subject=re%3A%20Big%20hits%2C%20strong%20pitching%20give%20Chico%20State%203%20straight’)”> [email protected]</a>

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