SAN BERNARDINO—The Chico State baseball team has put up a number of big, crooked numbers in 2012, one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history. But none have rivaled the 12 runs the Wildcats posted in the top of the first inning Thursday afternoon against Cal State San Bernardino.
 
Jack Murphy, Zach Morris, and Jeffrey Ray each ripped two hits apiece in the first. Morris drove in a run with a single up the middle in his first at bat and drilled a two-run single to second in his second. Murphy also had a two-run single in the frame. The Wildcats went on to win the opener of a four-game series at Fiscalini Field 20-11. 
 
The 16^th-ranked Wildcats have now scored five or more runs in an inning 20 times this season while compiling a record of 28-9 overall and 21-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). They've won nine of their last 10 away from The Nett. Cal State San Bernardino slipped to 19-16 overall and 15-10 in the CCAA. The series continues with a doubleheader Friday at noon and concludes with a single game Saturday at 11 a.m.
 
Chico State remains in second place in the CCAA standings, 1.5 games behind first-place Cal State Monterey Bay and 3.5 games clear of third-place Cal State Dominguez Hills. The top two teams in the final conference standings will earn first-round byes in the CCAA Tournament, hosted by Chico State at Nettleton Stadium May 11-14.  
 
Murphy, Morris, Elijah Jackson and Willie Lajoie led Chico State Thursday with three hits apiece, while Nathan Meredith mashed his first home run as a Wildcat, a two-run shot. Lajoie has now reached base in 21 consecutive games, while Grady Morgan went 2-for-5, stretching his hitting streak to 18 games. 
 
Rylan Tinsley picked up the win for the Wildcats, allowing four runs on six hits in five innings while improving to 6-0. Gerritt Erickson added a 1-2-3 inning in relief.