In this very young collegiate baseball season, few teams can boast a better mix of results and excitement than Chico State. The Wildcats, off to a 6-0 start thanks in part to three dramatic walkoff wins, are back at it this weekend with a three-game non-conference series against Academy of Art at Nettleton Stadium.
 
The series begins Friday with a single game at 2 p.m. and concludes with a doubleheader Saturday at noon.
 
Three of the Wildcats' wins have come by a single run, three via walkoffs, and two in extra frames.
 
In the midst of all the wild wins, the team's pitching staff has been steady. The Wildcats have allowed more than two runs just once and boast a team ERA of 1.45. Opponents are hitting just .220 against the Wildcats and have struck out 44 times against just 13 walks.
 
Led by Clayton Gelfand, who has started the season with 13 shutout innings, Chico State's starting staff boasts an ERA of 1.41. The bullpen has been nearly as impressive, allowing just four earned runs in 24 innings.
 
The Wildcats' defense has played well, fielding at a .968 clip while throwing out four of six runners attempting to steal.
 
Offensively, Chico State is hitting .313 and averaging just over five runs per game.
 
The visiting Urban Knights were swept last weekend in a three-game series against Cal State East Bay to open the season.
 
Wildcat Webcast will have all three games streaming online with audio and video available. Saturday's first game will also be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM. Links to livestats, audio and video are available in the calendar section on the ChicoWildcats.com homepage and on the baseball schedule page.