TURLOCK, Calif. – Despite two hits by senior Amanda Evola and a pair of RBI by freshman Lizzet Dominguez, Western Oregon University's softball team could not hold its lead falling to California State University Chico, 4-3, on a walk-off, two-run single Friday at the Pedretti Sports Complex Fields.

Evola led Western Oregon (11-18) offensively, while senior Jourdan Williams, sophomore Emma Alfonso, and Dominguez accounted for the other three hits by the Wolves. Dominguez would go the distance in the circle for WOU allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits in 6.0 innings of work.

Chico State (18-9) was led offensively by Alli Cook with a pair of hits, while Desiree' Gonzalez registered three RBI for the Wildcats. Haley Gilham went the distance for Chico State allowing three earned runs on five hits in 7.0 innings of work to go along with a game-high five strikeouts en route to picking up her ninth win of the season.

In the top of the first inning, Western Oregon tallied all three of its runs on a RBI single up the middle by Evola and a two-run single through the left side by Dominguez. Sophomore Kelsie Gardner led off the game with a walk before advancing to second on a pass ball and moving to third on Alfonso's infield single. Evola would then step to the plate and following Alfonso's stolen base brought home Gardner for the game's first run before Dominguez plated both Evola and Williams two batters later to push the Wolves' lead to 3-0.

Chico State would get one run back in the bottom of the first inning when Gonzalez drew a bases loaded walk that scored Ashley Huff and pulled the Wildcats within two runs (3-1).

Over the next five-and-a-half innings, the two teams would combine for six hits with Chico State collecting four compared to Western Oregon's two.

In the top of the sixth inning, Western Oregon threatened to add to its lead when Evola led off the at-bat with a single through the left side before Williams registered a two-out single up the middle two batters later. Unfortunately, Chico State would not allow the Wolves to add to their lead heading into the Wildcats' final two at-bats.

Chico State would capitalize on its pitching in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Wildcats scored three runs on just two hits. Huff would lead off the at-bat with a walk before she scored two batters later on a WOU error that pulled Chico State within a single run (3-2). After an intentional walk loaded the bases for the Wildcats, Gonzalez ripped a game-winning, two-run single up the middle that scored Cook and pinch-runner Cailin Garmon resulting in a come-from-behind 4-3 victory for Chico State.

Western Oregon will return to action at the Tournament of Champions with two games tomorrow – Saturday, March 28 – beginning at 9 a.m. against Hawaii Hilo at the Pedretti Sports Complex Fields in Turlock, California.