TURLOCK, Calif. – Chico State opened its four-game CCAA baseball series at Stanislaus State with a 5–2 loss Friday night at Warrior Field, as the Warriors used a three-run third inning and added two more in the seventh to claim the series opener.
With the loss, Chico State falls to 19-20 overall and 8-13 in the CCAA, while Stanislaus State improves to 17-20 overall and 8-12 in conference play. With the win — combined with other conference results Friday night — the Warriors jumped the Wildcats by a half-game in the CCAA standings and moved a step closer in the race for postseason contention.
Stanislaus State broke a scoreless game in the bottom of the third after Mason Kelley walked, moved up on a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch, then scored on Art Navarette Jr.'s two-out single to left center. Zach Lewis followed with a single, Chris Ortiz walked, and Eric Perez delivered a two-run single to center to make it 3–0.
Chico State was held scoreless through five innings despite collecting seven hits over that stretch, but the Wildcats finally broke through in the sixth. Stefan Foley singled with one out, moved to second on Jaden Neugebauer's groundout, and came home on Michael Baker's two-out RBI double to left, trimming the deficit to 3–1.
The Warriors answered in the seventh. Lewis singled and Ortiz doubled to put two in scoring position, and Perez again came through with an RBI single through the left side. Ortiz also came home on the play after a fielding error in left, extending the Stanislaus State lead to 5–1.
Chico State threatened in the ninth when Neugebauer reached and advanced to second on a throwing error, then Roman Roberts came off the bench and doubled to right to score him and cut the lead to three. But Pierce Sailer recorded the final two outs to finish off the save.
Foley and Neugebauer each had two hits for Chico State, while Baker and Roberts both doubled and drove in runs. Jared Cantu, Cole Nachreiner and Jackson Snitko also added hits as the Wildcats outhit Stanislaus State 9–9 but left seven runners on base.
Freshman Jack Tews took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits over six innings, striking out two and walking four. Caden Hodina worked the final two innings and struck out two, but Stanislaus State capitalized on a pair of Chico State errors and timely two-out hitting.
Wildcat Tidbits
– With the loss, Chico State still leads the all-time series with Stanislaus State 143-73, dating back to their first meeting in 1968.
– Including the non-conference series at Nettleton Stadium back in February, the Warriors have evened the season series at two games apiece. Seven games were scheduled between these Highway 99 rivals.
– Dave Taylor, in his 20th season, is 608-360-0 as the head coach at Chico State. Taylor is also 723-454-1 in 24 years as an NCAA head coach.
Up Next
Chico State and Stanislaus State return to action Saturday for a 9/7-inning doubleheader. Game one is set to begin at 1 p.m.
