CHICO, Calif. – After wet and cold conditions postponed the baseball home opener between Chico State and Northwest Nazarene, the two returned to Nettleton Stadium Friday and got the complete opposite, clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
Despite the warmer weather that had only been seen once this week prior to Friday's game, the Wildcats' bats were held in check by Ernesto Lugo-Canchola as the Nighthawks took the series opener 5-2.
The left-handed pitcher was dealing for the first three innings. It wasn't until Thade Miller's single to short in the fourth that got a Wildcat runner on base. Miller succeeded again against Lugo-Canchola by hitting a two-out double to left center in the sixth.
Northwest Nazarene got the three runs it needed to win the game in the third inning. Going up against Rocco Borrelli, who had an impressive Chico State debut at No. 5 Point Loma on opening day a week ago, the Nighthawks capitalized on a leadoff walk followed by a double to put both in scoring position. A sacrifice fly knocked in the first run and with two out, the second run was a double hit into the outfield. A communication error by the Wildcats allowed third run to score.
It wasn't until the seventh inning when Chico State knocked Lugo-Canchola out of the game. Troy Kent led off with a double and Daniel Vierra drew a walk after to have Northwest Nazarene turn to its bullpen. Going up against Dillon Eden, Jeremy Keller singled to load the bases with no one out, but the Wildcats could only cash in one run on the opportunity.
Northwest Nazarene picked up some insurance runs in the ninth inning, using three straight hits and a groundout to bring two to home plate.
The Wildcats did get one run in the ninth inning. Vierra was hit by the pitch to start the inning off, took second on a groundball and scored on Jesse Gadd's single to center.
Chico State and Northwest Nazarene will now play a 9/7-inning doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. The second game was to make up the rainout from Thursday. Both games can be heard on KPAY News Talk 93.9 and seen on FloCollege with Mike Baca calling the action.
