CHICO, Calif. – Cal State East Bay softball surrendered 21 runs to Chico State on Saturday as the host Wildcats took the weekend series by defeating the Pioneers 12-5 and 9-5. The Pioneers were done in by a game one grand slam and game two 3-run homer by the Wildcats.

A fourth inning 3-run homer for Kelsey LaVaute erased a 3-1 deficit and put the Pioneers out front. An RBI single in the fifth from Jaynie MacDonald tied the game 5-5 heading into the bottom of the fifth innings.

Chico State (6-2, 3-1 CCAA) third baseman Courtney Brown hit a two-out grand slam in the bottom half of the inning to go back up by four. The Wildcats tacked on three more in the sixth to score the final seven runs of the game.

Chico State collected 16 hits in game one led by the 4-for-4 effort from Desiree' Gonzalez. She was one of five different Wildcats with multiple base hits including three apiece from Alli Cook and Emily McEnaney.

East Bay pitcher Sierra Clark (5-1) suffered her first loss of the season allowing 12 runs (nine earned) in six innings. Cheyenne Sandoval earned her first win on the year after tossing three shutout innings of relief with four strikeouts.

Another big home run gave Chico State a lead it would hold to the end in game two. Brynn Lavorsky's lone hit, following an inning extended defensive miscue, was a 3-run blast inside the left field line to put the hosts up 5-1.

East Bay trailed 9-4 and down to its final three outs. The Pioneers managed to load the bases with one out forcing a Chico State pitching change. A run-scoring ground out and called third strike ended the game giving the Wildcats the series, 3-1.

East Bay's 1-4 hitters in Lauren Vestal, Alex Vela, Marisa Lerma, and Ali Cerminara each brought home a run in the loss. Rose Marston led the squad with two hits including a fourth inning solo homer.

Both pitching staffs struggled to find the strike zone with 16 walks issued between the two squads. Chico State issued nine free passes with six from winning pitcher Brooke Langeloh. She improved to 5-0 despite surrender four runs on six hits, six walks, and a hit batter.

East Bay starting pitcher Emily Perlich recorded her first complete game of the season. She allowed only two earned runs and struck out four batters.

Cal State East Bay (9-5, 4-4 CCAA) will host Holy Names (0-6) in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, Feb. 25.