Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Marcos Lara and Brad Lohse joined some elite company Saturday, tossing complete-game shutouts as the Chico State baseball team beat Academy of Art 1-0 and 3-0 at Nettleton Stadium. The last time Chico State pitchers accomplished the feat was on March 12-13, 1999, when the John-Eric Hernandez and Jason Cly did it against UC Riverside en route to All-America honors and a College World Series title.

Lara and Lohse are a long way from postseason honors and the magic of May. But they've certainly gotten off on the right foot.

Lara allowed only five hits in nine shutout innings, didn't issue a walk, and struck out three. He improved to 4-0 in his first four starts as a Wildcat and lowered his ERA to 0.36. The transfer from Texas Southern University has surrendered just one earned run in 25.1 innings.

Lohse made his second start and third appearance of the season and has yet to allow a run. He improved to 2-0, allowing six hits, one walk, and striking out four in seven frames. The sophomore from Chico's Pleasant Valley High School and Shasta Community College has allowed just 11 hits and one walk in 15 frames this season.

Chico State improved to 9-3. The 21st-ranked Wildcats have won seven straight at home. Academy of Art fell to 4-7.

Chico State's pitching was only rivaled by the Wildcats' defense Saturday. The Wildcats played error-free while turning four double plays. Third baseman Ruben Padilla started a particularly nice twin-killing with a dive and throw from his knees. Blake Walker made a sweet diving catch. Jeffrey Ortega also looked very good teamed up with Lohse in his first game behind the plate, throwing out the only runner that attempted to steal against him.

Peter Miller manned the plate during Lara's gem. He also had one of the Wildcats' five hits. Ryne Clark had the big hit. Clark singled up the middle to plate Cody Slader from third in the fifth inning for the game's only run.

Clark also logged a sacrifice bunt and two stolen bases in the game.

Walker tripled and scored on Slader's sacrifice fly in the third inning of Game Two to give Lohse all the support he would need.

The Wildcats added two more runs in the fourth. Ortega walked and scored a heady run, scrambling home on a muffed relay throw after Danny Miller singled to left. Miller eventually scored on a wild pitch.

GAME NOTES – The last time the Wildcats had consecutive shutout victories was on Feb. 21, 2009, when they dispatched of Cal State San Bernardino 2-0 and 4-0...Chico State starters (Lara, Lohse and Nick Baker) have now thrown 22.2 consecutive shutout innings this weekend…Chico State is 12-0 all time against Academy of Art…The five hits Lara allowed were to the second batter in each of the first five innings.