SAN DIEGO – The Chico State baseball team was forced to settle for a season-opening series split after dropping the final two games of a four-game series at Point Loma Nazarene University Saturday.
The Wildcats watched a late two-run lead evaporate in a 4–3 walkoff loss in the opener, and then dropped the second game 4–1.
Chico State, now 2-2, had beaten the Sea Lions five times in a row entering the day. They'll return home and prepare for their home-opening series Saturday and Sunday against Simpson University.
Casey Costello pitched well in his
Chico State debut, allowing just
a run in five frames.
Chico State led 3–1 in the opener before the Sea Lions cut the lead in half with a run in the eighth. Kellen Sheppard led off the ninth with a solo home run. Later in the inning, with two down, Micah Pries singled to center to drive in the winning run.
Wildcats starter Casey Costello allowed just one run and struck out five in five innings of work. Clayton Gelfand made his first appearance of the season, allowing one run in three frames. Dan Beavers (0-1) took the loss.
Dillon Kelley went 3-for-4 with a run and RBI to lead the offense. Sonny Cortez had a pair of hits. Jimbo Pernetti also drove in a run.
Chico State jumped out to a 1–0 lead in the second game when Cody Snider singled and RJ Hassey hit one deep into the left-center field gap.
But that was it for the Chico State offense. Sea Lions starter Stephen Young went the distance in the seven-inning affair, striking out eight.
Chico State starter Anthony Baleto (0-1) pitched well until running into trouble and allowing a two-run homer in the fifth. He allowed four runs on five hits in four-and-two-thirds innings, striking out three. Steven Baker recorded the final four outs.
