The Chico State baseball team's California Collegiate Athletic Association-opening doubleheader against visiting Stanislaus State featured two completely different games in terms of style. Unfortunately for the Wildcats and their fans—who enjoyed a sunny start to the afternoon before braving a cold evening—they got the same result both times.
 
Stanislaus State won a 14-11 slug-fest in the opener and then scored twice in the eighth to win a pitchers' duel 2-0 in the nightcap.
 
The Wildcats fell to 4-3 overall and 0-2 in the CCAA while Stanislaus State improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
 
Chico State twice rallied from three runs down to take the lead in the opener only to see that advantage slip away. The third time it did, after the Warriors scored six times in the sixth, they could not overcome the deficit.
 
Griffin Hennessey's RBI-double capped a four-run first that put the Wildcats up 4-3. Eddie Zavala's three-run homer capped a four-run third inning and gave the Wildcats a 9-7 lead.
 
They led 11-8 before the Warriors scored six in the sixth in what proved to be the game-winning rally.
 
Chico State pitchers hit a batter, walked three, uncorked three wild pitches, and committed a balk in the fateful frame.
 
In many ways the Wildcats were their own worst enemy throughout the game, walking eight, throwing four wild pitches, and committing two passed balls. Five of the Warriors' runners who scored got on base via walk or hit by pitch.
 
Zavala provided a bright spot with a 3-for-5 effort, four runs scored, and three RBI. Brandon Hernandez also drove in three runs, finishing 2-for-4. Hennessey went 2-for-2, and JT Navarro was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

 
Reliever Kenton Carruthers was the most effective Wildcat on the mound, providing two scoreless frames on one hit while striking out a pair.
 
Alex Kent (0-1) took the loss.
 
Rylan Tinsely fired five no-hit innings, striking out five and walking three, to earn the win for Stanislaus State, improving to 3-0 on the season.
 
The nightcap was an altogether different affair. Chico State starter William Curless and Warriors starter Chase Wheatcroft played dueling zeroes on the scoreboard through six. Curless departed after six having scattered four singles, walked four, and struck out six. The senior has now thrown 15 innings without allowing an earned run in 2019, and 18 in a row dating back to last season. He's allowed only eight hits during that stretch.
 
Wheatcroft pitched into the eighth, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three.
 
The Wildcats had the Warriors on the ropes in a scoreless game in the eighth. Myles Moran led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. But Brandon Scott struck out Hernandez, who was pinch hitting, and then got Zavala on a comebacker to end the threat.
 
The Warriors used that momentum at the plate, drawing a leadoff walk in the ninth and following that with a base hit. After a sacrifice bunt and intentional walk, Grant Bunker drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. Stanislaus State's second run of the inning came on a misplayed pop fly in the middle of the infield.
 
Scott shut them down in order in the ninth, striking out a pair, to cap the doubleheader sweep.
 
Turner Olson, who has hit safely in six straight games to start his season, went 2-for-4 for the Wildcats. Doubles by Alex DeVito and Moran marked Chico State's only two other hits.
 
Scott (1-0) earned the win, while Daniel Foret (1-1) took the loss in relief.
 
The Wildcats will be back in action next weekend when they travel to San Francisco State for a four-game series. Links to streaming audio and live stats will be available at www.chicowildcats.com. Saturday's first game and Sunday's series finale will also be broadcast locally on AM 1290 and FM 102.9 KPAY.