Sonoma State softball team bounced from West Regionals

Chico State spotted Sonoma State’s softball team an early lead Friday but roared back to win 9-4 and eliminate the Seawolves from the NCAA Division II West Regionals.

In the game played at Arcata, Sonoma State scored three in the first inning but that lead was gone by the fourth when the Wildcats scored six runs, all with two out.

That was the second and final loss in the tournament for the Seawolves. They were beaten 4-2 by host top-seeded Humboldt State on Thursday.

SSU got off to a quick start thanks to Carlie Daniel’s two-run single and Lindsey Calcany Blair’s bases-loaded walk.

Chico tied the score in the top of the third only to have SSU (33-24-1) retake the lead in the bottom of the inning. Alison Strucula’s bases-loaded, two-out single got the run in.

That set the stage for the Wildcats’ six-run fourth inning. Ari Marsh’s bloop single down the right field line knocked in the go-ahead run.

Staked to a 9-4 lead, relief pitcher Haley Gilham pitched 4? innings of shutout ball to preserve the victory.