The 13th-ranked Chico State baseball team used the big inning to sweep a doubleheader from Academy of Art Saturday at Nettleton Stadium, improving to 16-5. Blake Gibbs hit a three-run homer and Cody Webber hit a solo shot during a nine-run fourth inning in an 11-7 win in the opener. And Gibbs’ two-run single was the big hit in a five-run first that propelled the Wildcats to an 8-1 win in the nightcap.

Luke Barker threw a complete game three-hitter in the first game, striking out eight in improving to 3-1. The freshman had his first career shutout brewing until a two-out RBI-single in the seventh.

Gibbs scored twice, drove in two runs and stole two bases for the Wildcats. Ben Manlove doubled and tripled, and Shane Kroker notched a pair of hits as well.

The Wildcats led comfortably throughout after taking the 5-0 lead in the first. Gibbs opened the scoring with a two-run single, and with two down, movehttp://www.chicowildcats.com/admin/admin_main.aspxd to third on Eric Angerer’s base hit. Both players scored on a throwing error before Ian McKay drove in a run to make it 5-0.

TJ Yasuhara, Shane Kroker and Cody Webber drove in runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, to make it 8-0.

Troy Neiman (2-0) picked up the win in Game Two, allowing just one run on five hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked two. Austin Prott pounded an RBI-double and later scored on a wild pitch in the third, giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

Soon after, it was 11-0. The Wildcats sent 12 runners to the plate in the fourth to build the lead to 11-0. Aside from the home runs, the big blow was Ben Manlove’s two-run double. Kroker and Cody Foster banged out two hits apiece in the game.

Chico State, ranked No. 13 in the nation, improved to 14-3 at home with the wins. The series concludes Sunday morning with a single game at 11.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

GAME 2 BOX SCORE