CHICO, Calif. — Another big comeback in the late game fell just short for the Cal State Monterey Bay softball team as No. 5 Chico State took the opener 7–0 before hanging on for a 7–5 win and a doubleheader sweep at Chico University Softball Field.

The Otters managed just three hits in the opener against Haley Gilham, who became the first pitcher ever to no–hit CSUMB in Friday's opening game. Chico, meanwhile, scored six runs in the first three innings and led 7–0 before freshman Ellie Bauer (San Rafael HS) came on to toss two innings of perfect relief.

It was more of the same to begin Game 2 as the Wildcats raced to a 7–0 lead after three full. The Otters responded this time to score five unanswered runs and bring the tying run to the plate in the sixth inning. But Chico brought Gilham out of the pen to quell the Otter uprising over the final inning and a third.

The power started to return to the CSUMB offense Saturday as the Otters totalled five extra–base hits. Alyssa Burt, Julia Garcia, Courtney Hennings and Savanna Salyer Kovacs all recorded doubles while Joanna Perruccio hit her third triple of the season in Game 2.

Garcia, Hennings and Rosalia Keirns (Claremont HS) each hit safely in both games Saturday. Keirns also added three innings of scoreless relief work in the nightcap.

CSUMB will continue its 14–game roadtrip with a 4–game set at Cal State San Marcos next weekend in Southern California. The series begins with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m.