HAYWARD, Calif. – The Pioneer women's softball team will travel to Chico to take on the Wildcats in a four-game series this week. The four-game series will begin on March 15 with a doubleheader in Chico beginning at 12:00 p.m.  The series will conclude on March 16 with a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader.

PIONEER PREVIEW
The Pioneers are 5-11 in CCAA play and 7-15 for the season. Currently, the Pioneers are tied for 9th place in the CCAA. East Bay played well against CCAA co-leaders Sonoma State and UC San Diego the past two weeks, posting a 3-5 record. Six of the eight games were decided by one run.

“We are coming off two huge weekends,” Pioneer Head Coach Barbara Pierce said. “We are looking to take this momentum into our Chico series.  We have not yet reached our potential as a team and I am excited to put it together against our tough CCAA schedule.”

As a team, the Pioneers are hitting .226. Taryn Thomas, who has safely in 12 of her last 14 games, is the Pioneers top hitter with a .359 batting average. Thomas has three hits in three games this season, and is the eighth leading hitter in the CCAA with a .391 batting average.  Sara Holdridge, who has raised her batting average to .328, leads the Pioneers with two home runs and 11 RBI. Holdridge, with a .364 batting average, is 14th in hitting in the CCAA. Chelsie Kakela, batting .271 overall, leads the Pioneers with 12 runs scored, and is tied for team honors with four doubles.  Shaunna Purkey tops the Pioneers with seven stolen bases.

Pitcher Lauren Zweigle is 6-8 with a 2.48 ERA in 17 appearances. Zweigle has 12 complete games and 84 strikeouts. In her last six appearances against CCAA co-leaders Sonoma State and UC San Diego, Zweigle compiled a 3-3 record with a 1.20 ERA, six walks, and 29 strikeouts. Zweigle tops all CCAA hurlers with 59 strikeouts.

ABOUT CHICO STATE
Chico State stands in fifth place in the CCAA with a 9-7 record. The Wildcats are 11-10 for the season. Chico State has posted a 6-2 home record. As a team, the Wildcats are hitting .261, while the pitching staff has compiled a 3.17 ERA. Emily McEnaney leads the Wildcats in hitting with a .368 batting average. Desiree Gonzalez, batting .354 for the season, tops Chico State with five home runs and 21 RBI. Kayla McConnell (2-5) has compiled staff-best 2.35 ERA in seven starts. Alex Molina is 7-3 with a 2.39 ERA and 47 strikeouts.

“Chico is another great team in the CCAA,” Pierce said.  “They are a mainstay in the postseason.  This weekend will be another test for us and I am looking forward to seeing how we stack up.”

UPCOMING GAMES
Following the four-game series with Chico State, the Pioneers will take a break from CCAA play and host Academy of Art on March 27.