Chico State leadoff hitter Sonny Cortez sparked the Wildcats' three-game series sweep of Cal State Dominguez Hills over the weekend, scoring six runs and driving in five.
The senior center fielder went 4-for-13, doubled, tripled, and stole three bases as Chico State won 17–4, 7–2, and 5–3. The Wildcat of the Week also continued his season long streak of sterling defense with 14 error-free chances. He even took away a home run, leaping high above the centerfield wall to make the catch before crashing into it. Â
Cortez went 2-for-5 with a two-run single, RBI-triple, and sacrifice fly in the opener. He scored three times and drove in four.
His speed led to four huge insurance runs in the nightcap. Cal State Dominguez Hills had pulled to within 3–2 in the eighth before Cortez came to the plate with the bases loaded and two down in the ninth. Cortez's chopper toward third, combined with his speed, forced an errant throw that allowed all three runs to score. Cortez then stole second and scored later in the inning.
He went 2-for-4 with two runs, two stolen bases, a double, and an RBI in the finale.
Cortez enters this weekend's three-game home series against Cal State San Marcos with a share of the conference lead in runs scored with 30, and needs just four more to reach the century mark for his career. He also ranks second in the CCAA with 16 stolen bases. The series begins with a doubleheader Saturday at noon and concludes with a single game Sunday at 11 a.m.
