Bittersweet was probably the feeling of the Cal State East Bay softball team this weekend. The Pioneers fell in a four game series, 1-3 against the 18th-ranked Chico State Wildcats, but fortunately got the win on their third game, which happened to be their senior day game.

The Pioneers fell to Chico (33-11 overall, 24-10 conference) the first two games on Saturday, losing 6-0 in the first and 4-2 in the second. Despite the two losses, East Bay came to play in their senior game Sunday morning, winning 2-1, and snapping the Wildcats’ 14 game winning-streak.

Freshman Courtney Leyba doubled to left center in the bottom of the inning, giving senior Rose Marston a chance to bat, in which she got a good hit and lead to a Leyba score, giving the Pioneers the win. “We went out there and competed and gave all we could this weekend for our seniors,” said freshman outfielder Courtney Leyba. “We just went out there and played we had nothing to lose.”

Unfortunately the second game on Sunday had a different outcome. Throughout the first 5 innings, Chico and East Bay were both scoreless, with both pitchers throwing exceptionally well. Chico soon got a little momentum going when junior utility player Cyrena Taylor doubled to right center, leading to a score by senior first baseman Desiree Gonzalez, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

Chico State started to step up its hitting game; the Wildcats scored 6 runs in the top of the seventh, including a stand out play when Gonzalez doubled to center with the bases loaded, which ended up giving Chico three scores from Brynn Lesovsky, Alli Cook and Ari Marsh.

The Pioneers were unable to come back. “We struggled defensively,” said senior Rose Marston. “Our pitchers were throwing great and we weren’t able to provide them with the run support for win.”

Senior Gabby Gonzalez agreed with Rose, adding that, “The team can do better suring up our defense. We gave up a lot of unearned runs and that hurt us in the end.”

East Bay fought hard against the nationally ranked Wildcats in the blazing heat, but unfortunately the Wildcats got the better end of the deal and East Bay must focus on their last two series to finish out their season a good note.

Although they will miss playoffs, the Pioneers are focused and look to compete to the best of their ability. “When we string our bats together, execute and focus on finding a way on base to get the next person up to plate, that is when we are at our best,” said Gonzalez.

The Pioneers will face Humboldt State (45-3-1, 32-2) in Arcata on Friday and Saturday in two doubleheaders. Humboldt is ranked third nationally and it is the final series of the year before the postseason begins on April 29 in Stockton.

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Photo by Kristiana Federe/The Pioneer