Chico State Athletics

A week ago, Head Coach Dave Taylor turned to pitcher Christian Stiegele to make his first start for the Chico State baseball team. Stiegele is well on his way to making many more.
 
The junior from Murietta threw seven scoreless innings in the Wildcats' 7-2 victory at Cal State San Marcos in the series finale on Sunday to earn Wildcat of the Week honors.
 
In his first starting chance, Stiegele limited UC San Diego to one run in four innings of a 4-2 victory on April 9 as the Wildcats claimed that four-game series with a third win in the finale.
 
He was even better against the Cougars.
 
Stiegele (2-0) didn't surrender a run to a team that had 19 of them in the series' first three games. He allowed four hits and two walks and struck out five in a brilliant 92-pitch outing, as he retired the Cougars in order in three of the first four innings.
 
Stiegele didn't let a runner reach third base until there were two outs in the sixth inning. Back-to-back singles put runners on the corners and had the tying run at the plate. Stiegele induced a fly out to end the threat and keep the 'Cats ahead 3-0.
 
With two outs in the seventh inning, San Marcos got another runner to third base. And again, Stiegele worked his way out of it by getting a fly ball that kept the Cougars off the scoreboard and enabled the Wildcats to win another series by taking three of four games.
 
The victory moved Chico State to third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings.
 
Stiegele and the Wildcats return to action with a four-game series against Cal State Dominguez Hills at home. The teams start with a 6 p.m. game on Friday at Nettleton Stadium. A doubleheader is at noon on Saturday with the series finale set for 11 a.m. on Sunday.