CHICO (May 11, 2017) — On Thursday afternoon on a breezy day in Northern California, sophomore RHP Amanda Ramirez stood out against host and No. 3 seed Chico State in the Coyotes' NCAA Tournament opener.
 
Ramirez, who was staked to a four-run lead before she even entered the pitcher's circle, flummoxed the Wildcats for five innings, and senior LHP Cassandra Williams took over in complete control in the Coyotes' stunning 5-2 win.
 
Ramirez faced the minimum over the first four innings, and by that time CSUSB led 5-0. Every  one of her first 12 putouts came on infield ground-outs, leaving the Wildcats wondering what was going on.
 
Chico State tried to break through in the fifth after Ramirez gave up consecutive singles. The Wildcats got a run on a ground-out from Rachel DeHart, but the threat ended with two more infield outs.
 
In the sixth, Chico loaded the bases without an out before Coyotes' coach Jim Maier summoned Williams out of the bullpen. She was promptly greeted with a RBI-single by Aril Marsh and the Wildcats drew within three of the lead, 5-2, with the bases loaded and no outs.
 
That's when Williams stepped up and showed why she is a All-West Region first-teamer and among the best in Division II. She struck out Karli Skowrup, Claire Wayne and Olivia Dallara and the Coyotes got out of the jam with much-needed momentum back on their side.
 
After CSUSB was retired in the seventh, Williams returned and put two runners on base on hit by pitches with two outs. She then struck out Kristin Worley to end the game and the Coyote had their victory.
 
CSUSB took command in the first. Back-to-back singles by Jessica Brown and Morgan Ratliff against All-West Region pitcher Hilary Gilham, and a sacrifice bunt from Kaylee Gemmel gave Taylor Ancona her opportunity to shine.
 
She belted a two-run single to left, and Brooke Thomas then followed with a single. With two outs, Briana Quintana answered with another two-run single up the middle and the Coyotes had their 4-0 lead.
 
They padded the lead to 5-0 in the third, thanks to Thomas, who scored from third on an errant throw from the catcher.
 
Brown, Ancona and Thomas all had two hits apiece. Ramirez improved to 16-7 and Williams earned her sixth save on the year.
 
CSUSB, now 38-19 overall, faces top-seed Humboldt State at 11 a.m. Friday. The Lumberjacks defeated Cal Baptist 1-0 in Thursday's first game.