CHICO – Phoenix Casias came up clutch in his Chico State debut as he drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and ensure the Wildcats a three-game season-opening sweep over Montana State Billings 5-4 at Nettleton Stadium Friday evening.
The Yellowjackets (1-4) struck early with a 3-0 lead after two innings, a three-run third inning allowed the Wildcats (3-0) to tie it and a run in the sixth moved Chico State ahead for the first time in the game.
Montana State Billings was able to tie the game in the seventh inning. In the home half of the eighth, Casey Vogan led off reaching second base on a crucial throwing error. He was replaced by pinch-runner Kaden Bass. Alexander Johnson laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the go-ahead run to third and Casias, who came in the sixth as a pinch hitter, found a hole through the left side that allowed Bass to plate the go-ahead run.
Things got a little interesting in the ninth inning. While Joseph Loubert retired the first two batters, a two-out single prompted head coach Dave Taylor to make a pitching change. Scott Lewis came in and another single put the go-ahead run on base. He did get a groundout on the next batter to pick up his first save of the season.
In a series which 51 hits were recorded, 11 came from Montana State Billings today while eight were from Chico State. Alexander Johnson had a perfect 2-for-2 day with an RBI single in the sixth inning that put the 'Cats ahead for the first time.
Montana State Billings' offense was aggressive going against starter Dylan Day. Day got through the first two innings with three strikeouts but conceded three runs on four hits and a walk. Eddie Curley picked him up with three shutout innings of relief. Caden Reitzenstein put a zero in the sixth inning but a leadoff triple in the seventh followed by a sacrifice fly to tie the game ended his day. Marco Ibarra came in for the second time this season and pitched 1.2 innings of shutout performance.
Chico State's rally in the third inning began with Johnson hitting a double, Thade Miller hit into a groundout that worked for Johnson to go to third and allow Michael Baker to bring him in with an RBI single through the right side. With two down and Neko Capsaliaris at second and Troy Kent at first, the Wildcats capitalized on two Yellowjacket throwing errors from the left side of the infield to score in the tying runs.
The Wildcats get to enjoy the weekend off and will welcome the NAIA's Simpson to Nettleton Stadium for a doubleheader Tuesday beginning at noon.
