It was déjà by you at Nettleton Stadium.
Seemingly teetering with the game in the balance, Chico State starting pitcher Grant Larson struck out Northwest Nazarene University cleanup hitter Jesse Hilyard with the bases loaded to end the fifth, preserving a two-run lead. With two on and two out in the sixth, Larson did it again, pumping a ball by Coltin Brink to end the threat.
Larson, who struck out the final batter he faced in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, piled up eight punch-outs in six innings of work. He allowed just one run as the Wildcats (3-2) salvaged a split of Friday's doubleheader with a 3-1 win in the nightcap. Northwest Nazarene (2-3) erupted for nine runs in the ninth to win the opener 11-3.
Casey Henderson makes the pivot at second.
The series concludes with a single game Saturday at noon at Nettleton Stadium.
Larson, who has now struck out 17 in 9.2 innings of work this season, earned the win to improve to 1-0. Dan Beavers closed the door, striking out three in the seventh to collect his first save of the season and third in the Wildcats' last nine wins, dating back to last season.
Trevor Steinman and Casey Henderson hit consecutive RBI-doubles in the first and Tyler Stofiel smacked an RBI-single in the fourth to account for Chico State's runs. Stofiel and Alex DeVito (now 3-for-4 with two doubles on the season) had two hits apiece.
Outside of the final frame, the games had a similar feel.
Chico State also got a very solid start in the first game. Casey Costello coughed up just one run on five hits in seven innings. The senior, who took a no-decision despite leaving the game with a 3-1 lead, struck out seven without issuing a walk.
The Wildcats grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. Dustin Milller and Louie Canjura drew walks to lead off the frame, and Miller came around to score on Cameron Santos' RBI single. Canjura scored on a wild pitch.
Chico State manufactured an insurance run in the seventh to stretch its lead to 3-1. Stofiel singled leading off the inning and Miller bunted pinch-runner Ryan Busby into scoring position. Busby advanced to third on Cajura's base hit before coming home on Santos' sacrifice fly.
Alex DeVito signals to the dugout after his leadoff double in the fourth
inning of the second game.
Northwest Nazarene got a run back in the eighth before rallying to win it in the ninth. An error leading off the inning opened the door. The Nighthawks rushed through, tying the game with a one-out single and taking a 5-3 lead on a one-out double in consecutive at-bats. They sent 13 players to the plate against three Chico State relievers during the nine-run frame.
Saturday's series finale will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY.
