SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The eighth-ranked Chico State baseball team opened its CCAA schedule with an on-the-edge-of-your-seat 10-9 win over San Francisco State in The Swamp Friday afternoon.

Chico State, winners of six straight games, improves to 8-2 overall while San Francisco State falls to 4-5.

The series opener turned out to be a slugfest, with 29 total hits recorded in the game. Chico State gathered 15 hits, including four from Daniel Vierra tallying three singles and a double.

The Wildcats took an early lead, marking a 2-0 advantage in the second inning off the bat of Jesse Gadd who doubled and later scored. Lorenzo Mariani contributed to the scoreboard with a pivotal run after a San Francisco State throwing error. This momentum was further capitalized in the third inning when Troy Kent smashed a solo homer, followed by Jeremy Keller's two-run shot, extending the lead to 5-0.

The standout moment of the game came in the fourth inning, where Chico State loaded the bases allowing Case to hit a memorable grand slam making it a 9-0 lead. Despite the Gators' valiant rally in the middle innings, the Wildcats held on with clutch moment as Vierra's double in the sixth to score in Kent proved to be the difference in the game.

Among the many stellar performances, Case led the RBI count with four, while Keller added two. Notably, Kent, Keller, and Case each added home runs, underscoring Chico State's powerful offense.

Starting pitcher Marco Ibarra went 4.2 innings before handing the ball to the bullpen. Joseph Loubert, Tyce Ochs and Ryan Silvers did the best they could holding off the Gators' rally and Aaron McCurley threw 1.1 innings of a shutout performance to secure his second save of the season.. The Wildcats' defense and strategic hits played a crucial role in fending off the late surges from the Gators.

The Wildcats and Gators meet again for the 9/7-inning doubleheader Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.