SEASIDE – Going up against the defending California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) baseball champions Cal State Monterey Bay, Chico State couldn't find a response to two, four-run innings the Otters scored as the Wildcats fall in the series opener 9-3 Thursday afternoon.
 
Chico State falls to 15-11 overall and 9-7 in the CCAA. Monterey Bay improves to 19-9 overall and maintains first place in the standings at 17-4 with an .810 win percentile.
 
The Wildcats looked to have something promising going up against the Otters' Ryan Platero. Jeffrey Ray had a game-opening single and Logan Drummond was hit by the pitch to put runners at first and second with one out. But Platero struck out the side to stop the threat.
 
Ethan Lay pitched out of a leadoff hit-by-pitch to start his outing. The Otters, though, broke through in the second inning by slugging in three doubles and two walks to produce the first of two four-run innings.
 
The Wildcats collected seven hits in the game, two of which were doubles that eventually scored in a run. Ernie Arambula led off the third inning with a single and scored all the way from first on Elijah Jackson's double to left center. Jeremy Keller led off the fifth inning with the team's other double and he would go on to score on Ray's base hit down the left field line.
 
Chico State's third run came in the eighth inning. Drummond drew a one-out walk, stole second and scored on Cameron Mahaffy's single to center.
 
Despite the score, Chico State did not commit an error in the game. It was the first time the Wildcats played a clean game defensively since February 20.
 
The four-game series continues with a doubleheader Friday at noon. Mike Baca will continue to provide the play-by-play on both the CCAA Network and KPAY Sportstalk 1290-AM. Live streaming is available on a $9.95 per month basis.