CHICO, Calif. - Chico State split a CCAA doubleheader with No. 10 Cal State Monterey Bay on a chilly, windy Saturday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium, taking the opener 5-4 before dropping the nightcap 9-7 in nine innings.
With the split, Chico State moves to 23-22 overall and 12-15 in the CCAA, while Cal State Monterey Bay sits at 33-12 overall and 18-9 in conference play.
Game 1: Chico State 5, Cal State Monterey Bay 4
The Wildcats erased an early deficit and delivered in key moments late to claim the opener behind timely hitting and opportunistic offense.
Monterey Bay struck first with a run in the third, then capitalized on a pair of runs in the fifth inning to build a 3-0 lead. Chico State responded in the bottom half of the inning, cutting into the deficit with a two-run frame highlighted by Kobe Rolling's two-RBI single down the right field line that plated Brady Wright and Michael Baker.
The Wildcats continued to chip away in the sixth when Jackson Snitko delivered an RBI single to right, scoring Myles Walton to tie the game at 3-3.
After the Otters regained the lead with a run in the seventh, Chico State answered again in the bottom half. A pinch-hit RBI single from Roman Roberts tied the game, setting the stage for late-game heroics.
In the eighth inning, Wright worked a two-out walk before Jesse Gadd delivered the decisive blow—a pinch-hit RBI double to right field that scored Wright and gave Chico State its first lead of the day at 5-4.
The Wildcats bullpen made it stand up. Dane Padrnos shut the door in the ninth, inducing a game-ending double play to secure the one-run victory.
Game 2: Cal State Monterey Bay 9, Chico State 7 (9 Innings)
The nightcap featured early offense and momentum swings, but Monterey Bay ultimately outlasted the Wildcats in the seven-inning contest.
Chico State found itself trailing early, but defensive highlights helped keep the game within reach. In the second inning, Brady Wright delivered a pair of standout plays in right field—first a diving catch racing toward the left field line, then an inning-ending grab on the warning track before safely crashing into the wall.
The Wildcats answered offensively, scoring in five of the first six innings. Jackson Snitko drove in three runs, including a two-RBI single in the third that tied the game, while Cole Nachreiner added an RBI single in the second.
Chico State briefly pulled even after plating two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth, but Monterey Bay's consistent pressure at the plate proved decisive. The Otters regained control with a three-run fourth inning and added insurance late to hold off the Wildcats' comeback bid.
Wildcat Tidbits
– With the split, Chico State still leads the all-time series with Cal State Monterey Bay, 49-36, dating back to their first meeting in 2006. The Wildcats have won three of the last four meetings with the Otters.
– Michael Baker extended his hitting streak to 10 games after going 1-for-3 in the first game of the doubleheader. His streak came to an end in the nightcap after going 0-for-3.
– Dave Taylor, in his 20th season, is 612-362-0 as the head coach at Chico State. Taylor is also 727-456-1 in 24 years as an NCAA head coach.
Up Next
Chico State and Cal State Monterey Bay close out the series Sunday at noon. It is also the final game of the season at Nettleton Stadium. Be sure to come in early for Senior Day at 11:30 a.m.
