RIVERSIDE – The Chico State baseball team's quest for a 10^th NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional crown got off to a rocky start Thursday. The Wildcats lost their first-round game to Cal Poly Pomona 11-1 at California Baptist University in Riverside.
 
Chico State must now beat top seed California Baptist Friday at 3 p.m. to keep its season alive.
 
"We've battled all year," Chico State Head Coach Dave Taylor said. "For this brand new group of guys to get here is a great accomplishment and I really want them to leave this thing with a good feeling. We just have to put this game behind us and get after it."
 
The Wildcats beat Cal Poly Pomona to open their run to the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament title last week. They were hoping for a similar result Thursday. But CCAA Pitcher of the Year Michael Koval was having not of it. Koval scattered five hits in seven-and-a-third shutout innings.
 
Meanwhile, the Broncos – who managed just two unearned runs against Chico State starter Clayton Gelfand last week – got to Gelfand and the Wildcats early and often Thursday.
 
"Their guy was better than our guy today," Taylor said. "Last week it was a different story. But today (Koval) was as good as I've seen him. He was throwing hard and hitting his spots. There's a reason he was the CCAA Pitcher of the Year. He's a dude."
 
The Broncos scored once in the first, twice in the second, and broke the game open with a four-run fifth.
 
Gelfand, named First Team All-West Region Thursday, lasted just four-and-a-third innings, allowing a season-high seven runs on eight hits.
 
Chico State catcher Marcos Valencia got his second collegiate start when Cody Bistline was scratched from the starting lineup and doubled in his first at-bat. His other start came in the CCAA Championship Tournament finale.
 
"It's been a little bit of a blur," Valencia said. "Losing Cody hurts. We want him out there. But coach always says 'next guy up' and I just want to be ready to do my part."
 
The Wildcats finally broke through in the ninth when pinch-hitter Cody Snider led off with a single and eventually scored on a passed ball.
 
Chico State dipped to 35-21 with the loss. Cal Poly Pomona is 37-17.
 
The Wildcats are making their 16^th NCAA Championship appearance in the past 21 seasons. Friday, they'll try to make that appearance last for at least one more day. If they can beat Cal Baptist, they'll take on tomorrow night's Cal Poly Pomona-Cal State Monterey Bay winner Saturday at 11 a.m.

Every Chico State postseason game will be broadcast live locally on AM-1290 KPAY, online at www.ChicoWildcats.com, and video-streamed via the CBU Lancers Game Day Portal: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/cbulancers/.

The winner of the six-team, double-elimination tournament will advance to the Division II College World Series May 28-June 4 in Cary, North Carolina.
 
2016 NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional
James W. Totman Stadium on the campus of California Baptist University – Riverside, California
 
Thursday, May 19
Game 1 – 11:00 a.m.: No. 5 Cal State Monterey Bay 6, No. 2 Dixie State 3
Game 2 – 3:00 p.m.: No. 1 California Baptist 14, vs. No. 6 Cal State East Bay 0
Game 3 – 7:00 p.m.: No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona 11, No. 4 Chico State 1
 
Friday, May 20
Game 4 – 11:00 a.m.: Dixie State vs. Cal Sate East Bay (elimination game)
Game 5 – 3:00 p.m.: California Baptist vs. Chico State (possible elimination game)
Game 6 – 7:00 p.m.: Cal State Monterey Bay vs. Cal Poly Pomona
 
Saturday, May 21
(if four teams remain)
Game 7 – 11:00 a.m.: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6
Game 8 – 3:00 p.m.: Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 4 (elimination game)
Game 9 – 7:00 p.m.: Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 (elimination game)
(if five teams remain)
Game 7 – 11:00 a.m.: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 (elimination game)
Game 8 – 3:00 p.m.: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 (elimination game)
Game 9 – 7:00 p.m.: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 6 (possible elimination game)
 
Sunday, May 22 or Monday May 23*
(if two teams remain)
Game 10 – 2:00 p.m.: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9 (possible elimination game)
Game 11 – 6:00 p.m.: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9 (if necessary)
(if three teams remain)
Game 10 – 2:00 p.m.: Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 9 (elimination game)
Game 11 – 6:00 p.m.: Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 9
 
*If California Baptist advances beyond Saturday's play, the final day of competition will take place on Monday, May 23. If California Baptist does not advance beyond Saturday, the final day of competition will take place Sunday, May 22.