HAYWARD, Calif. — Down to their final strike in the ninth inning of Game 1, Chico State delivered one of its most dramatic rallies of the season, storming back with four runs to force extras before ultimately securing a win in the 11th. But the momentum proved short-lived, as a quiet offensive showing in Game 2 dealt a decisive blow to the Wildcats' postseason hopes in a doubleheader split against Cal State East Bay on Friday afternoon at Pioneer Field.
With the split, Chico State moves to 25-24 overall and 14-17 in the CCAA, while Cal State East Bay sits at 22-27 overall and 13-18 in conference play. With Cal State San Bernardino earning a win in Game 2 of its doubleheader at Cal State Dominguez Hills, the result officially eliminated both Chico State and East Bay from CCAA Tournament contention, as the Coyotes locked up the final postseason berth. The Wildcats and Pioneers will close the regular season Saturday at noon.
Game 1: CHICO 6, CSUEB 5 (11 innings)
Chico State authored a comeback for the ages, rallying from a 5-1 deficit entering the ninth inning and down to its final strike before erupting for four runs to tie the game.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs and received consecutive RBI hits from Joel Gutierrez and Myles Walton, followed by a clutch single from Carson Case and a bases-loaded walk by Michael Baker to even the score at 5-5. Stefan Foley capped the rally with an RBI single through the right side, completing the improbable surge.
After forcing extras, Chico State capitalized again in the 11th. Gutierrez reached and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt before Case drew a walk. Baker delivered once more, lining a go-ahead RBI single through the right side to plate the eventual winning run.
Manny Lopez was dominant out of the bullpen, tossing three scoreless innings to earn the win and shut down East Bay's offense in the late frames.
At the plate, Baker finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while Foley and Walton each recorded multi-hit efforts. Gutierrez sparked the rally from the bottom of the order, scoring twice and driving in a run.
Game 2: CSUEB 3, CHICO 2
The Wildcats struck early but couldn't sustain momentum in the nightcap, as East Bay held Chico State to just four hits and pulled away late to secure the split.
Chico State took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double by Roman Roberts, then added another run in the second on Brady Ranallo's solo home run to left-center.
East Bay answered immediately in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on a pair of stolen bases and a two-run sequence aided by an error to take a 2-1 lead. The Pioneers later manufactured the decisive run in the sixth inning, using aggressive baserunning and a sacrifice fly to go ahead 3-2.
From there, East Bay's bullpen took control. Lincoln Juarez tossed five shutout innings in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out two to close the door.
Chico State threatened in the middle innings, including putting a runner on third in the third, but couldn't deliver the tying hit. The Wildcats managed just one baserunner over the final four innings.
Wildcat Tidbits
– Game one marked the seventh extra-inning contest for Chico State this season, with the Wildcats improving to 5-2 in those games
– With the split, Chico State improves to 115-77-1 all-time against Cal State East Bay, dating back to 1967
– Head coach Dave Taylor now holds a 614-365 record at Chico State and a 729-459-1 mark in 24 seasons as an NCAA head coach
