The Chico State softball team defeated Humboldt State in the semi-final game of the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament Friday.

In the tournament, the ‘Cats won both of their games to come out of the winner’s bracket on top, preparing to face the Lumberjacks on Championship Sunday.

Haley Gilham pitched her 25th complete game, holding Humboldt State to only six hits. With this win, she improved to 22-5 on the season, which ties her for the most single-season victories in Chico State history.

The Wildcats scored two runs in the top of the first to take an early lead. Cailin Garmon stole both second and third after reaching by a wild pitch third strike. Kristin Worley walked and stole second, putting two Wildcats in scoring position. After Garmon scored on a wild pitch, Karli Skowrup hit a double, bringing in Worley.

In the top of the second, the “Cats loaded the bases, but came up short. Humboldt State’s Madison Williams capitalized, striking out the following 10 batters. Gilham was more effective, throwing a no hitter through the first three innings.

The Lumberjacks cut the lead in half with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the fourth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Humboldt loaded the bases. Gilham buckled down forcing a pop-up and grounder to end the stressful inning.

After a walk, single and “unintentional intentional” walk loaded the bases for Humboldt State in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gilham forced another pop-up behind second base to close the 2-1 victory for the Wildcats.

Kayla Fitzgerald can be reached at [email protected] or @kaylafitz_20 on Twitter.