Only two weeks into the California Collegiate Athletic Association's 2020 campaign, it's becoming increasingly clear that the race for the conference title and the six CCAA Tournament spots up for grabs are going to come down to a game here and a game there. Every team in the CCAA has already won at least twice and lost at least twice. Chico State (9-5, 5-3 CCAA) and the team it will host for a four-game series this weekend, Cal State East Bay (10-2, 6-2) are among six teams off to starts of 6-2 or 5-3.
 
The series, at Nettleton Stadium, will start with a single game Friday at 2 p.m., continue with a doubleheader Saturday at noon, and conclude Sunday with a single game at 11 a.m. All four games will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY Sports with links to streaming audio, streaming video, and live stats available on the top-right corner of this release, on the baseball schedule page, and in the calendar section of our homepage.
 
Chico State opened conference play by winning three of four at home against San Francisco State before splitting a four-game road series at Cal State Monterey Bay last weekend. After sweeping a four-game series at Cal State San Bernardino to open conference action, Cal State East Bay split a four-game home set against Stanislaus State last weekend.
 
Cal State East Bay and Cal Poly Pomona are both 6-2 in CCAA action, while Chico State, San Francisco State, Stanislaus State, and UC San Diego are all 5-3. Of course, with 36 games remaining on each schedule, it's anyone's guess how things will shake out.
 
One thing is clear for the Wildcats: When their pitchers throw strikes they are tough to beat. Chico State is 6-0 when drawing more walks than its opponent. The Wildcats are also 6-0 when leading after the first five innings and 6-1 when scoring first.
 
Former CCAA Player of the Week Eddie Zavala and reigning CCAA Player of the Week Willie Lajoie currently rank first and fourth in the conference in batting average, among players with 10 or more at-bats. Zavala is hitting .467 (21-for-45) with five doubles and 12 RBI, while Lajoie is hitting .435 (20-for-46) with three home runs and 13 RBI.
 
Starting pitcher Grant Larson is tied for second in the CCAA with three wins, and his 3.13 ERA ranks fifth among all pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched.