While the Chico State offense was generating all of the buzz around Nettleton Stadium this weekend, sophomore lefty Phillip Hymas made as big of an impression as any of the 11 home runs hit by his team to those who were paying attention. Hymas, a product of Vancouver, Wash. (Columbia Basin CC) tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out six, to help lead the Wildcats to a 12-1 win against Central Washington Saturday. Hymas, whose efforts buoyed the spirits of the team’s die-hard fans who understand that it’s pitching and defense that wins championships, has been named this week’s Wildcat of the Week.
After allowing a double to lead off the game, Hymas was dominant. He got three straight ground balls to work out of trouble in the first before striking out the side in the second and retiring the side in order in the third. A one-out single in the fourth briefly gave Central Washington some hope, but Hymas quickly dashed that by inducing a double-play ball. Another double-play grounder negated a single leading off the fifth. That would be the first of five straight hitters Hymas would retire to wrap up his outing, including two via strikeout.
Hymas, who along with Jordan Lindebaum gives the Wildcats two sophomores in their starting rotation, improved to 2-1 with the win. He’s struck out nine and walked just one on the season.
