The bats being employed in NCAA baseball this season were chosen because the trampoline effect of the ball coming off the bat reacts similarly to wood. The Chico State baseball team is looking for a trampoline effect of the opposite kind this week. They want to bounce back explosively following their frustrating four-game sweep at the hands of 7th-ranked UC San Diego over the weekend.

They need to, in fact. The Wildcats now find themselves among seven other teams clawing for three remaining spots in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament. They host one of those teams, Cal State Stanislaus, in a doubleheader Tuesday at 2 PM.

The Wildcats, 27-14 overall and ranked No. 27 in the nation, are currently in second place in the CCAA with a conference record of 21-13. With six games to go, they need to win at least three to guarantee themselves a berth in the postseason for the 15th time in the last 16 years.

Cal State Stanislaus must win at least five of its last six games to have a chance at the postseason. But the Warriors have come on strong of late, winning five of their last six games to improve to 23-18 overall and 15-17 in the CCAA.

This doubleheader will feature two nine-inning games because it’s a makeup for two games that got rained out in mid-March. The teams were able to play a pair of tight games in Turlock in March, however. The Wildcats won the opener 7-2 in 12 innings and then Nick Baker pitched a gem to lead the Wildcats to a 3-2 win in the nightcap.

Both games this weekend will be available locally on AM 1340 ESPN and online at www.chicowildcats.com via the Wildcat Webcast link. CLICK HERE to follow the action on the Internet via Live Stats. The link will become active a few minutes prior to first pitch.

Chico State’s Remaining Regular Season Schedule
Tuesday, May 3 vs. Cal State Stanislaus (DH) – 2 PM
Friday, May 6 @ Sonoma State – 2 PM
Saturday, May 7 @ Sonoma State – 11 AM
Sunday, May 9 vs. Sonoma State (DH) – Noon

Games in cardinal at Nettleton Stadium