Cal State East Bay Falls to Chico State on Senior Day

  • April 17, 2010

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HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay softball team finished its 2010 schedule on Saturday afternoon, falling in two games to Chico State. The Pioneers (12-32, 5-27 CCAA) celebrated Senior Day but could not get their offense going as they were shutout twice, 7-0 in game one and 3-0 in game two, to cap the home slate in their first season competing in Division II.

The Wildcats (23-17, 16-14) got started right away in game one, scoring two runs on two hits off East Bay junior starter Cat Schorn in the first inning. Starting off with a 2-0 lead, Chico State starter Jessica McDermott threw her second straight complete-game shutout, allowing just two Pioneer hits and facing just four over the minimum.

While the Wildcats added another run in the fourth and scored four on five hits in the top of the sixth, East Bay's struggles at the plate continued, as they only saw one runner get into scoring position in the game. McDermott struck out four and walked one en route to her 11th win of the season. Schorn took the loss, dropping to 7-15 on the year, allowing seven runs on 13 hits in seven innings of work.

The series finale turned out to be a battle between East Bay starter Lauren Zweigle and Chico State starter Kacie McCarthy. The pitcher's duel saw the pair combine for eight strikeouts and start the game off with five consecutive shutout innings of work.

After Zweigle allowed the first hit of the game in the top of the second inning, the Pioneers looked set to get things going in their half of the second. With one out, junior designated player Dani Foster singled to right field before senior catcher Sarah Davini was hit by a pitch to put two on with two outs. McCarthy got a strikeout, however, ending the inning and the East Bay threat.

After another hitless inning in the third, the Wildcats got their turn to threaten in the top of the fourth. After Christine Johnson laid down a bunt single, Sam Quadt reached on an error to put two on with no outs. Zweigle showed her poise, though, relying on her defense to get a pop out, a ground out and a line out to get out of the jam.

An inning and a half later, in the bottom of the fifth, the Pioneers made some noise again, but could not get past McCarthy. After Davini reached on an error, freshman left fielder Renaye Gamson reached on a fielder's choice that saw Davini reach second safely. With two on and no outs, McCarthy quickly tallied a pair before hitting junior Sarah Hasenfus to load the bases with two out. McCarthy got senior Rachelle Boone looking to end the inning and leave the bases loaded for the Pioneers.

The Wildcats built on that momentum in the top of the sixth, posting three runs on three hits after Christine Johnson worked her way to a walk to lead off the inning. A pair of singles from Quadt and Jenna Wermes brought in two runs before another single from Rebecca Johnson brought in the game's third run.

With a 3-0 lead to work with, McCarthy finished strong, despite a scare in the bottom of the seventh. After Gamson walked to start off the inning, sophomore Breezy Johnson reached on a fielder's choice and Gamson was safe at second to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs. McCarthy, however, got the game-ending groundout to complete the four-game sweep for Chico State.

Despite taking the loss, Zweigle pitched well, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out four in seven innings of work, shutting out the Wildcats in six of seven innings. McCarthy notched her second straight complete game, shutting out the Pioneers and allowing just two hits while striking out four.

Foster led the Pioneers at the plate, going 1-for-4 on the day with a walk and a hit by pitch.

Cal State East Bay honored seniors Davini and Boone prior to the game. Davini currently sits in a tie for 10th all-time at Cal State East Bay with 22 career stolen bases. The pair of transfers will finish out their Pioneer careers next week.

With one week remaining in the 2010 season, East Bay will travel across the Bay on April 21, meeting Menlo College for a non-conference doubleheader before heading south to Cal State Monterey Bay to meet the defending CCAA Champion Otters for the season finale on April 23 and 24 in Seaside.