Pioneers Drop Two in Doubleheader Against Chico State
- April 16, 2010
|
HAYWARD, Calif. - The ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ softball team fell to Chico State in a pair of games on Friday afternoon at Pioneer Field. The Pioneers (12-30, 5-25 CCAA) struggled to get their offense going as the Wildcats notched an 11-0 win in game one and a 6-1 victory in game two, extending East Bay's losing streak to 10 games.
Chico State got off to a quick start, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Pioneers looked set to answer in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases with two outs on a pair of walks for sophomore Breezy Johnson and junior Dani Foster and a single from junior Nikki Freiberg. However, Wildcat starter Jessica McDermott got the first of five strikeouts in the game to end the inning and leave three runners on base.
Chico State picked up where it left off in the second inning, scoring four runs on two hits, including a bases-loaded double to center for Sam Quadt that cleared the bases and gave the Wildcats a 5-0 lead. From there, McDermott took control of the game, allowing just four hits over the final six innings.
Chico State would go on to add another two runs in the top of the fifth and four runs in the top of the seventh to secure the win. McDermott tossed a gem, striking out five and allowing just five hits in the complete game shutout effort. Pioneer freshman starter Lauren Zweigle took the loss, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits.
Game two saw the Wildcats get off to a similar start, putting together back-to-back singles to start the first, followed by a one-out double from Courtney Brock, driving in a pair. Rachel Failla followed with an RBI single to put Chico State up 3-0 early on.
East Bay junior starter Cat Schorn settled down after the first, however, tossing four straight innings of shutout softball to keep the Wildcat lead at 3-0 heading into the sixth inning. Chico State broke through again in the top of the sixth, getting a walk and an RBI single to take a 4-0 lead.
The Pioneers finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Johnson led off the inning with a double to right. After a pair of groundouts, Johnson remained on second for Freiberg, who singled to bring in Johnson and cut the lead to three before Chico starter Kacie McCarthy ended the inning.
The Wildcats ensured the victory, however, with two runs on four hits in the top of the seventh to take a 6-1 lead. McCarthy finished things off with a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh to pick up the win. McCarthy threw a complete game, allowing one run on five hits and striking out three. Schorn took the loss giving up six runs on 13 hits in seven innings of work.
Freshman first baseman Emily Montanez went 2-for-2 in game two, while Johnson and Freiberg both went 1-for-3, scoring one and driving in one, respectively.
The Pioneers and Wildcats will meet again tomorrow for the series finale, a doubleheader at Pioneer Field that will mark the final two home games for seniors Sarah Davini and Rachelle Boone. Game one is scheduled to start at noon, with Senior Day festivities beginning prior to the first pitch.