HOUSTON—The excitement of the Chico State baseball team opening the season in a high-profile competition at a major league stadium soon gave way to frustration Friday, as the Wildcats struggled to put the ball in play at the Houston Winter Invitational. The 'Cats managed just four hits on the day and struck out a program-record 17 times in dropping a 5-0 decision to Arkansas Tech at Minute Maid Park.
Chico State, making its second trek to the home of the Houston Astros in seven years, was unable to mount any sort of offense against Wonderboys starting pitcher John Gray and relievers Gerald Pintarich and Will Horton, generating just one serious scoring threat after the first inning. Though they were beneficiaries of four walks, the Wildcats' high strikeout rate prevented them from advancing the few runners they were able to get aboard.
Jeffrey Ray finished 2-for-4 on the day, with Jacob Jablonksi and Dom Meza providing the only other Chico State hits.
Friday's contest began with both teams missing a chance to plate a run in the opening frame. Arkansas Tech stranded runners at second and third, while the Wildcats used a single by Ray and two walks to load the bases, but came away empty.
Chico State starting pitcher Dylan Day kept Arkansas Tech off the board until the top of the fourth inning, when two infield singles set the table for Nick Jones, who drove in a pair with a base hit up the middle.
The score was still 2-0 when the Wildcats appeared to get something going in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Elijah Jackson walked and Jablonski singled through the right side, but Kyle Dobson struck out to end the threat and the inning.
In the top of the eighth inning, Arkansas Tech began to pull away, stringing together a hit by pitch, a single, two wild pitches and a sacrifice fly to plate a pair and go up 4-0. The Wonderboys added another run in the next frame, and Chico State's bottom of the ninth bid to avoid a shutout never materialized, as the 'Cats went down in order to fall by a final of 5-0.
Chico State plays its second game of the Houston Winter Invitational Saturday morning, when the Wildcats take on Flagler College of St. Augustine, Florida. Both teams will be looking for the first win of the season; Flagler lost a 2-1 decision Friday to Alabama's Montevallo University.
Fans can follow the action locally on KPAY Sports 1290-AM, with Mike Baca's broadcast simulcast on the Internet beginning at 8 a.m. Pacific time Saturday. Live Stats are also available online, with links accessible on the Wildcat Athletics homepage and the baseball schedule page.
