It seems like the college baseball season just started. Unfortunately, the finish line is coming into view. Only six chances remain for fans of 11^th-ranked Chico State to see the Wildcats in action at Nettleton Stadium.
 
That's six more chances to hear the pop of the glove, a called strike three, the scrape of the slide. Six more chances to enjoy the tastes: the salty snap of the seed and the sweetness of cool relish. Six more chances to relish the smells: dogs on the grill, fresh cut grass and dust in the air after a play at the plate. Six more chances to feel the sun on your face and the sting of a handful of high-fives with your friends. Six more chances to see a curveball buckle knees, a sliding stop behind second base or a ball rocket off a bat.
 
Three of those chances come this weekend when the Wildcats host a four-game series against Cal State Dominguez Hills beginning Friday at 6 p.m. A Saturday doubleheader is slated for noon and the series concludes with a single game Sunday at 11 a.m.
 
The Wildcats feature a pitching staff you might have to see to believe. Hitters have found them nearly untouchable thus far, whiffing at balls that seem to disappear and wringing their hands after getting sawed off and grounding out over and over.
 
Chico State's 2.10 team ERA is second lowest in the nation. Brad Lohse ranks fourth among individuals with a 0.54 ERA and Luke Barker 11^th (0.77). Barker leads the nation in saves with 11 and Nick Baker ranks third in the land with a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 0.73.
 
The defense, meanwhile, has made hit after hit disappear. The Wildcats lead the nation with a .980 fielding percentage, having committed only 25 errors through 33 games. They don't just make the routine play either. At least one player provides a web gem in nearly every game.
 
All of that, combined with an offense that's picking up steam, scoring 6.1 per game over the last 18, has the Wildcats at 26-7 overall and 18-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
 
Chico State trails conference leader Sonoma State by percentage points and leads third-place Cal Poly Pomona and Sonoma State by a game with 16 to go.
 
Cal State Dominguez Hills, winner of seven of its last eight games, is in fifth place at 17-15 overall and 12-12 in the CCAA.
 
All four games will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY and on the Chico State Athletics website HERE.