CHICO, Calif. – Chico State put plenty of traffic on the bases Friday night, but Cal State LA capitalized more often and handed the Wildcats a 9–1 loss in the opener of the four-game CCAA series at Reeder Field.
The Wildcats collected nine hits and put the leadoff runner aboard four times, but timely hitting never followed. Chico State stranded 11 runners and finished with just one run despite multiple chances to climb back into the game after falling behind early.
Cal State LA did its damage in the second inning, sending nine men to the plate and scoring five times to seize control. Steven Mara opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single, Kai Penuelas followed with an RBI double, Kadyn Victorian added an RBI single, and Omar Gonzalez capped the rally with a two-run single after a Wildcat error extended the frame.
Chico State answered with its lone run in the third. Ryan Melton and Jaylen Hodges opened the inning with singles, and after a sacrifice bunt was mishandled, Brady Wright brought home Melton when he reached on an error by the Golden Eagles' shortstop. But with the bases loaded and no outs, Chico State managed just the one run as Carson Case struck out and Jackson Snitko grounded into a double play at the plate.
That missed opportunity loomed even larger in the fifth. Hodges was hit by a pitch and Kobe Rolling walked after a wild pitch moved the runner into scoring position, but Cal State LA starter Alejandro Huezo induced a triple play off the bat of Wright to erase the threat and preserve a 7–1 lead.
The Wildcats had another late chance in the seventh. Brady White singled with two outs and Wright followed with a double to right center, putting runners at second and third, but Myles Walton was called out on strikes to end the inning and keep Chico State from gaining momentum.
Jack Tews struck out six over 4.1 innings in his start, but Cal State LA strung together 10 hits and seven runs against him, only five of them earned because of Chico State's two errors. Caden Hodina and Bruno Condit combined to cover the final 3.2 innings.
Melton paced Chico State offensively with two hits and scored the Wildcats' only run. Wright also had two hits, including a double and the team's lone RBI, while Nachreiner reached base twice. But Chico State could not solve Huezo and Jake Spence in key moments, going just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and grounding into three double plays in addition to the fifth-inning triple play.
Wildcat Tidbits
- With the loss, Chico State goes to 15-16 overall and 4-9 in the CCAA. Cal State LA, meanwhile, goes to 16-14 overall and 6-7 in the CCAA.
- With the loss, Chico State still leads the all-time series with Cal State LA, 64-39-1, dating back to 1995. Neither team has won consecutive games since 2024, when the Wildcats won three straight against the Golden Eagles.
- Friday's loss is the worst defeat Chico State has suffered to Cal State LA since March 22, 2024, when the Golden Eagles beat the Wildcats 17-8 at Reeder Field.
- Dave Taylor, in his 20th season, is 605-357-0 as the head coach at Chico State. Taylor is also 720-451-1 in 24 years as an NCAA head coach.
Up Next
Chico State and Cal State LA meet again for the 9/7-inning doubleheader Saturday with game one scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
