CHICO, Calif. – Jakob Poole was nearly untouchable through five innings and the bullpen excelled, but Chico State's offense went silent late as Cal State San Marcos edged the Wildcats 2–0 in 11 innings Sunday at Nettleton Stadium to clinch the four-game CCAA series.

Poole was dominant from the outset, retiring the first 15 batters he faced and carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning. The freshman right-hander allowed just two hits across six scoreless innings, striking out three and keeping the Cougars (17-6, 4-4 CCAA) off balance while giving Chico State (15-15, 4-8 CCAA) a chance to break through.

Both teams traded zeros into extra innings, with Chico State's bullpen matching the Cougars pitch for pitch. Tyler Eastham and Dane Padrnos combined for two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, while Manny Lopez took over in the ninth and kept the game tied into extras.

The Wildcats were unable to deliver the key hit. Chico State managed just four hits on the day, with Jaden Neugebauer leading the way with two, including a leadoff double in the seventh inning that set up the team's best scoring opportunity.

After Neugebauer's double in the seventh, Chico State had a runner in scoring position with no outs but couldn't capitalize. A fielder's choice erased the lead runner at third, and back-to-back outs stranded the potential go-ahead run, as Cal State San Marcos escaped the inning and kept the game scoreless.

Cal State San Marcos finally broke through in the 11th. After a hit-by-pitch and stolen base put a runner in scoring position with two outs, Zech Samayoa delivered the decisive swing—a two-run home run to center field to give the Cougars a 2–0 lead.

Chico State went quietly in the bottom half, as the Cougars' bullpen completed the shutout. Luke Higgins set the tone with six scoreless innings before Zach Romero and Trevor Morgan combined to hold the Wildcats hitless over the final five frames.

Keoni Coloma reached base twice and stole two bases for Chico State, while the Wildcats drew six free passes but were unable to convert, finishing 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Wildcat Tidbits
- It is the fourth time Chico State has played extra innings this season. The 11 innings played today ties the season-longest, the last being game three against Western Oregon. It is the first time Chico State has lost in extras this season. The Wildcats are now 4-1 when playing more innings this season.
- It is only the second time this season the Wildcats have been shutout, the other being against Cal Poly Pomona in game three last weekend. It is the first time in the modern era of Chico State baseball the Wildcats have been shutout in extra innings.
- With the loss, Chico State still leads the all-time series with Cal State San Marcos, 18-12, dating back to 2016. Neither team has won consecutively in the last seven meetings.
- Dave Taylor, in his 20th season, is 605-356-0 as the head coach at Chico State. Taylor is also 720-450-1 in 24 years as an NCAA head coach.

Up Next
Chico State heads back to Southern California again, visiting Cal State LA for a four-game CCAA series at Reeder Field. The series begins Friday at 6 p.m.