Prior to this season, the Chico State baseball team probably would have been happy with a 14-6 record through its first 20 games. Heading into a three-game series this weekend at Cal State L.A., the Wildcats certainly feel they could have an even better record.
 
The Wildcats rank second in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in batting average and earned run average and fourth in fielding percentage, and yet they are just 4-4 in conference play after allowing late leads slip away in four of their last six games.
 
That's an area Head Coach Dave Taylor hopes to see some improvement in this weekend.
 
The Wildcats will face a Cal State L.A. squad that is 6-15 overall and 5-5 in the CCAA. The first game of the series at Reeder Field is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
 
All three games will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY. Fans can also listen online and/or follow the livestats via links provided in the calendar section and on the baseball schedule page at www.chicowildcats.com.
 
Chico State's projected Friday night starter, Clayton Gelfand, 3-2 on the season, ranks third in the CCAA with a 1.69 ERA.
 
Chico State's offense features three of the league's top 17 hitters. Jerrett Maas ranks fourth with a .455 batting average and Sonny Cortez and Jimbo Pernetti are tied for 16^th at .375. Cortez ranks third with 25 runs scored and Cameron Santos is tied for first with a trio of triples. Santos and Ben Gamba are tied for eighth with 18 RBI apiece. Santos also ranks second in stolen bases with 12.
 
The Wildcats enter the weekend ranked No. 6 in the West Region and are listed among "others receiving votes" in the latest NCAA Division II Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Poll.