Published 2013-04-26T21:50:00Z”/>

Price Peterson

The Chico State softball team’s magic number to the playoffs stayed at two as it lost two close games in a doubleheader against UC San Diego.

“We came out flat,” senior pitcher Kayla McConnell said. “We need to come out with more intent and more will in tomorrow’s games.”

In the first game, the Wildcats struggled to hold on to their lead and lost by a final score of 5-4.

UC San Diego was able to put away the game in the top of the seventh by capitalizing on a throwing error by junior third baseman Taylor Hanamaikai. The error brought in the winning run, making the final 5-4.

Chico State had bright spots during the game, including a two-run lead in the bottom of the fourth, off an error and an RBI single by sophomore shortstop Kelli Keefe.

“We were impatient at the plate today,” Keefe said.

The second game of the doubleheader was all about defense as Chico State fell by a final score of 1-0.

Junior pitcher Alex Molina took the mound for Chico State and pitched a complete game, but earned her seventh loss of the season.

While Molina kept the team within reach of a win, Chico State’s offense was unable to produce run support.

Chico State will close out the series with another doubleheader against at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Chico State softball field against UC San Diego.

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<strong>Price Peterson can be reached at</strong> <a href=”mailto:[email protected]”><em>[email protected]</em></a>