Hunter Haworth threatened the Chico State strikeout record, mowing down 13 in just six innings of work. Steven Baker also set a new personal strikeout standard, punching out nine in five-plus frames. Chico State pitchers struck out 26 in all during a doubleheader sweep of Simpson University Sunday on Opening Day at Nettleton Stadium. The Wildcats won the first game 9–0 and the second 4–1.
Haworth did not allow a hit until two were down in the sixth inning. His 13 strikeouts are a career high and just one shy of the Chico State single-game record. Haworth is the first Chico State pitcher to strike out 13 since the 2007 season. The junior allowed just one hit in six innings to improve to 2-0.
Baker came on in relief of starter Clayton Gelfand in the second game and got the Wildcats out of a two-out jam in the third with a strikeout. He kept the Red Hawks off the board for five more innings after that. Baker allowed just two hits in five-and-a-third frames to earn his first win of the season.
Cameron Santos doubled and tripled in the first game.
Seven different players drove in runs for the Wildcats Sunday, including six in the opener. Casey Henderson launched a solo home run to center field in the third to open the scoring, and Dallas Porter popped a two-run shot to left-center in the eighth to wrap up the scoring.
Cameron Santos was 2-for-3 with a double and triple.
Cody Snider led the charge in the second game with two doubles and two runs. Sonny Cortez and Andru Cardenas also collected two hits apiece.
Jae Wagner collected his third save, working around a one-out single.
The series concludes Monday with a doubleheader at noon.
Casey Henderson opened the Wildcats' scoring with his second home run of the year–a blast to deep center field.
(Emily Bentz Photography)
