CHICO, Calif. – In a day of late-inning drama at Nettleton Stadium, the Chico State baseball team rallied to win the opener 7–5 before falling just short in a 4–3 loss in Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against Stanislaus State.
With the split, the Wildcats move to 29–19 overall and 22–17 in CCAA play heading into Saturday's regular-season finale.
Game 1: Chico State 7, Stanislaus State 5
Chico State scored five runs over its final two turns at bat, turning a one-run deficit into a series-opening win. Down 5–2 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats tied the game with a two-run rally, then took the lead for good in the eighth with a three-run frame highlighted by Michael Baker's sacrifice fly and a go-ahead two-run double from Troy Kent.
Phoenix Casias went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Thade Miller walked and scored three times. Casey Vogan and Daniel Vierra each added doubles.
Drake Richardson (3–0) earned the win with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, retiring all five batters he faced to close it out. Rocco Borrelli started and allowed just two earned runs over five innings.
Game 2: Stanislaus State 4, Chico State 3
In a scheduled seven-inning nightcap, Chico State saw a 3–1 lead slip away as Stanislaus State plated three runs in the top of the seventh. The Warriors took advantage of two hit batters and three hits in the final frame, including a go-ahead RBI single from Jackson Brooks.
Casias had two more hits—including an RBI double—and Thade Miller tripled and scored in the first inning. Michael Baker added an RBI groundout in the sixth.
Jeremy Keller pitched well in the start, allowing just one run on four hits over five innings. Tyce Ochs took the loss in relief.
Postseason Picture
With just one CCAA game left to be played across the conference, Chico State has clinched a berth in the six-team CCAA Tournament. The Wildcats currently sit in fifth place, but their final seeding remains in play. All seeds have not been determined as the final day approaches.
Up Next
The Wildcats will honor their senior class Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. as part of Wildcat Day, before first pitch of the regular-season finale at noon.
