LOS ANGELES – In a win-or-go-home CCAA Tournament opener, Chico State delivered in all phases—timely hitting, steady pitching, and poise under pressure—to defeat Cal State LA 5–3 Wednesday evening at Reeder Field. With the victory, the Wildcats move into the double-elimination portion of the bracket and will face top-seeded Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Rocco Borrelli earned the win on the mound, tossing five strong innings while allowing just one run on three hits. The bullpen trio of Marco Ibarra, Tyce Ochs, and the defense behind them combined to hold the Golden Eagles in check the rest of the way. Ochs struck out the side in the ninth to nail down his first save of the postseason.

Troy Kent and Daniel Vierra launched solo home runs in the first and second innings, respectively, staking the Wildcats to an early 2–0 lead. Chico State broke things open with a two-out rally in the sixth. Vierra and Jeremy Keller reached base to load them up, and Casey Vogan delivered a two-run single to left to make it 4–1.

Vogan added a sacrifice fly in the eighth to extend the lead to 5–2, which proved to be enough. Cal State LA cut it to two with an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth, but the Wildcats stranded the tying run at third before Ochs shut the door.

Phoenix Casias went 3-for-4 with a double, and Michael Baker added a pair of singles for the Wildcats, who finished with 12 hits. Chico State played error-free defense and got solid contributions from a lineup that saw eight of nine starters reach base.