The Chico State baseball team had trailed for eight innings and thought perhaps Cal State LA's worst fielding percentage in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) would show up at some point in the series opener. It did with one out left in the game, but it wasn't enough as the 'Cats fell to the Golden Eagles, 6-3, on a chilly Thursday evening at Nettleton Stadium.
The Wildcats, who have nothing to play for but pride and player awards, fall to 18-24 overall and 12-20 in the CCAA. The last-place Golden Eagles, also having nothing to play for, improve to 18-28 overall and 13-24 in the CCAA.
Cal State LA got an extra run in the ninth inning to take a 6-1 lead heading into the 'Cats final three outs. Golden Eagle starter Owen Hunt had a respectable performance on the mound. He went into the ninth inning with eight strikeouts and allowed nine hits and four walks. Chico State began a late rally against the right-hander. Andrew Crane led off the inning with a single through the right side and pinch-hitter Nathan Meredith drew a walk to put the tying run at the plate. Hunt got the first out before handing the ball to Mikell Chavez. He got second out but Jeffrey Ray brought Crane home with a base hit through the right side. The lone error arrived when Logan Drummond hit a high bouncer up the middle. It looked to be an out but the shortstop's throw to first skipped by and it allowed Meredith to score. With the 'Cats best hitter Jacob Jablonski at the plate, Chavez ended up the winner of the battle by getting the first baseman to hit into a ground out to preserve the win.
Both teams had 10 hits. For the Wildcats, all their hits were singles. Ray and Crane each had two knocks. Jablonski had one hit but got on base twice with walks.
Justin Tamelier was solid for the first six innings, having allowed one run in the second and fifth innings. He ran into trouble trying to close out the seventh inning and it resulted three Golden Eagle runs. He finished the brisk evening with five runs, three runs, eight hits and five strikeouts.
Chico State got on the board in the sixth inning. Ray led off with a walk. He barely made it to third when Drummond hit a single through the right side and right fielder Kai Penuelas's throw was perfectly thrown to the third baseman. Elijah Jackson would hit a single through a hole on the left side to score in the first run.
The two teams return to 'The Nett' for the 9/7-inning doubleheader Friday at noon.
