ROHNERT PARK – The Chico State and Sonoma State baseball teams combined for 44 hits and 18 walks, but each team had one runaway inning in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) series-opening split Saturday.
 
Both sides took advantage of bullpen struggles in each game. The Seawolves capitalized on a five walks, including four straight that resulted in three runners coming home, in the seventh inning to capture game one 9-5 for their first conference win. Already with a comfortable lead going into the ninth inning, the 'Cats took advantage of three mistakes, five singles and a grand slam for a 10-run frame to take the nightcap 16-1.
 
Ernie Arambula both had a four-hit day, Xabi Iparraguirre had two hits including that grand slam in the ninth inning of game two.
 
In game one, Chico State (11-7, 6-3 CCAA) took a 2-0 lead when Kyle Dobson and Cameron Mahaffy got back-to-back, two-out singles to setup a two-run double by Arambula.
 
After Sonoma State (7-8, 1-6 CCAA) tied the game in the fifth inning, the 'Cats answered back in the sixth. Zach Morris led off with a base hit and was replaced by Elijah Jackson, who scored on Jeremy Keller's two-out single to left. The Seawolves responded again with a run of their own in the inning.
 
The Wildcats reclaimed for the last time in the seventh. With one out, Drummond singled, Jacob Jablonski walked and Jackson and Dobson hit RBI singles to give Chico State a 5-3 lead.
 
Sonoma State's rally in the seventh began with four straight hits, including a double, and a critical fielding error allowed the Seawolves to take the lead permanently. The 'Cats got two outs in the inning, but four straight walks further doomed them in the game as the Seawolves had a 9-5 lead.
 
In game two, Chico State got on the board in the second inning. Morris led off with a double and back-to-back singles by Lindsay and Arambula brought in the first run. The 'Cats then did all the scoring they needed in the middle innings. In the fourth inning, Morris drew a one-out walk and Iparraguirre reached on an error. Lindsay brought Morris home with a single and Arambula also got a hit to load the bases. Drummond drew a walk to force Iparraguirre home and give Chico State a 3-0 lead.
 
Jackson led off the fourth inning with a double to left center and eventually scored Chico State's fourth run on an Iparraguirre single. For the second straight inning a Wildcat leadoff man got on base. Jeffrey Ray singled and would score when Jackson hit into a fielder's choice, giving Chico State a 6-0 lead.
 
The ninth-inning barrage began with back-to-back singles from Dobson and Peter Andrews. Iparraguirre got on with an error and Lindsay drew a walk to bring in Dobson. Arambula traded the first out of the inning for a run by scoring in Andrews. Ray and pinch-hitter Kaden Bass both hit RBI singles to score in two runs and in his second trip to the plate in the inning, Jackson hit into a fielder's choice that scored in a run. Andrews' second trip also resulted an RBI single and Iparraguirre followed with his grand slam to left field, completing the 16-1 score.
 
The two sides will play two more games, only it will the 9/7-inning doubleheader. Game one begins at 11 a.m.