FRESNO—Gavin Kinney could not have had a more refreshing relief appearance as far as Chico State's baseball fans were concerned. The Wildcats' 6-foot-3 sophomore pounded the strike zone for three shutout innings to slam the door on a 3-0 win at Fresno Pacific and collect his first Chico State save in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. The win not only salvaged a split for the Wildcats, who lost the first game of the day 7-2, but also completely stopped the constant flow of walks the team had been handing out in the series.
Starter Braeden Gowdy began the work, walking only two in his four shutout frames. He allowed four hits and struck out four. Gowdy's final pitch—which produced an inning-ending double play with the bases full in the fourth—was perhaps his biggest of the night. He's now 2-0 on the season, having won in relief last weekend.
The Wildcats raced to a 2-0 lead in the first. Jacob Jablonski started the party with a one-out double. Willie Lajoie followed by drawing a walk. An ensuing throw to first got away, allowing Jablonski to score, and Lajoie followed soon, scoring on Grady Morgan's single through the left side.
Chico State tacked on a run in the fourth. Darien Cossio drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and advanced to third on Elijah Jackson's sac bunt. Nathan Meredith singled up the middle to drive him in for a 3-0 lead. Jablonski finished with two hits to lead the Chico State attack.
As they did in the series opener, walks cost the Wildcats in Saturday's first game. Chico State pitchers walked 10 Sunbirds and four came around to score. Start Rylan Tinsley allowed two runs on six hits in five innings of work. He walked four and struck out four. Eddie Rios walked four and Cayden Castellanos (L, 0-1) a pair. Gerrit Erickson delivered his third consecutive scoreless frame, striking out one and retiring the Sunbirds in order.
The Wildcats' offense was held to just five hits. Willie Lajoie drove in Chico State's first run with a ground ball and Grady Morgan drove in the second with a sacrifice fly.
