12/07/03
Baseball team signs center fielder for 2005
The Chico State men's baseball team has announced the signing of center fielder Greg Gonzalez for the 2005 season. Gonzalez a 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed leadoff hitter, will play at Sierra College in Rocklin this season. Before sitting out in 2003, Gonzalez played at Laney College in 2002.
Greg will be a great addition to our program, said Chico State head coach Lindsay Meggs. He is a legitimate leadoff hitter who will step in immediately and compete for a starting position. He's a big-time player who we feel can help us return to the College World Series.
The Wildcats are tentatively scheduled to open the 2004 season with a home doubleheader against Oregon Tech Jan. 31.
Newson, Hernandez First Team All-West Region
Chico State's Steve Newson and Ivan Hernandez have been named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-West Baseball First Team it was announced over the weekend.
The pair also earned First Team All-CCAA recognition, while relief pitcher Clark Johnson earned Second Team All-CCAA honors and reliever Nic Amanno received Honorable Mention CCAA honors.
Newson, a senior outfielder, batted .344 with 10 home runs and 42 runs driven in for the Wildcats this season. He also banged out a team-high 13 doubles and was a perfect 8-for-8 in stolen bases.
Hernandez finished his brilliant two-year career at Chico State with a stellar season. The Wildcats' ace this year, Hernandez finished 7-3 with a 2.22 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 93.1 innings pitched.
Johnson, Chico State's senior closer, finished tied for third in the nation with 11 saves. He finished 1-1 with a 3.96 ERA and started four games.
Amanno made a team-high 29 appearances for Chico State this season and tied Hernandez for the team-high with seven wins.
No Regional appearance for Wildcats
(May 12) The decision for the 2003 West Regional participants and seedings has been announced and the Chico State baseball team is not on the list. The Wildcats, who finished the season with a record of 36-18, have participated in the West Regional six of the last seven seasons.
The tournament will be hosted by Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas. No. 1 seed Sonoma State (44-13-1) will play No. 4 UC Davis (32-22). No. 2 Fort Hays (44-13) will play No. 3 Western Oregon (40-13).
Chico State to host CCAA Championship Tournament
Tournament Schedule and Results
(Apr. 28) Chico State has been selected to host the 2003 California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Championship Tournament May 8-10 at Nettleton Stadium. The Wildcats have hosted the tournament every year since its inception in 1999.
The top four squads of the 11-team league, based on CCAA winning percentage, qualify for the tournament to determine the CCAA Champion. Sonoma State (41-13-1, 27-11) will be the No. 1 seed, followed by UC Davis (31-20, 24-14), Chico State (34-16, 24-14), and Cal State Stanislaus (27-25-1, 21-18). UC Davis takes the second seed due to a head-to-head tiebreaker with Chico State. The Aggies took three of four from the Wildcats this season.
The CCAA Championship Tournament hasn't been exactly kind to the Wildcats. Chico State did go 4-1 to win the tournament in 2000, but is just 7-7 all-time in CCAA Championship Tournament action and 1-4 over the last two years. Sonoma State, on the other hand, won the tournament in 1999 and 2001. Cal State, San Bernardino won last year's tournament despite qualifying fourth.
Single day ticket prices are $6 for adults, $3 for college students with a valid I.D. and $2 for high school students and under.
Wildcats split final CCAA series of season
(May 4) Not enough hitting led to a doubleheader split for the Chico State baseball team at Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday. Not enough pitching led to another split Sunday. On Friday, the Wildcats won 2-1 and lost 3-2. Chico State then lost Sunday’s opener 13-8 before winning the nightcap 7-5.
The Wildcats finished the regular season 34-16 overall and 24-14 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. They tied UC Davis for second place.
Ivan Hernandez tossed a complete-game seven-hitter to lead the Wildcats to a 2-1 victory in Friday’s season opener. Hernandez (7-2) struck out eight and walked just one. The Wildcats actually trailed 1-0 entering the ninth, but Chris Mendonsa and Jeff Walker were hit by pitches leading off the inning. Steve Newson’s single loaded the bases, and John Moylan singled home Mendonsa. Walker then scored the winning run on a passed ball.
Chico’s offensive struggles continued into Game Two, where the Wildcats mustered just five hits in a 3-2 loss.
Sunday, Chico State starter Brian Kroll lasted just four-plus innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits and the Wildcats never recovered in a 13-8 loss. John Paluck and Ryan Adams tallied two hits apiece and Moylan drove home a pair of runs.
In the nightcap, Jonathan Shepard banged out four hits, scored twice, and notched a pair of RBI in the Wildcats’ 7-5 win. Clark Johnson collected his 10th save.
The Wildcats will host the CCAA Championship Tournament May 8-10.
San Bernardino offense wakes up in time to salvage split
(Apr. 27)After limiting visiting Cal State San Bernardino to just one run in each of the first three games of their series, Chico State's pitching staff finally showed it's human in a 5-2 series-ending loss Sunday. The Wildcats won the first game 8-1.
Chico State is now 32-14 overall and 22-12 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The second-place Wildcats hold a one-half game lead on third-place UC Davis. San Bernardino finished the weekend 22-25 overall and 13-22 in the CCAA.
In Sunday's Game One, Chico State leadoff hitter Chris Mendonsa went 4-for-5, scored three times, and knocked in two runs to ignite what has been a struggling offense of late. Jeff Walker finished 3-for-4 with three RBI, Trevor Weedon banged out three hits, and Brett Polan went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
Meanwhile, Chico State starter Brian Kroll (6-3) was masterful, tossing a complete-game, five-hitter while striking out five. San Bernardino's Ryan Simpson singled home Josh Thomas for the Coyotes' only run in the first inning.
In Sunday's series finale, San Bernardino scratched out a win behind the pitching of starter Tawd Frensley. Making just his second start of the season, Frensley allowed just three hits and one run in six innings of work to improve to 1-1 on the season.
The Wildcats got the tying run to the plate in the seventh against Danny Lambaren, but John Paluck flew out to deep right field to end the game.
The loss was just the third in the last 24 games for Chico State and just the second in the last 16 home games.
Erik Simmons went 3-for-4 with a couple of runs scored and Brian Schweiger went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI to lead San Bernardino.
Chico State will wrap up the regular season next weekend at Dominguez Hills. Meanwhile, UC Davis hosts last-place Cal Poly Pomona.
Thomson the difference as 'Cats sweep CSSB
(April 26) On a day dominated by pitching, Chico State's Scott Thompson banged out five hits and scored the winning run in both games as the Wildcats swept Cal State San Bernardino 4-1, 2-1 Saturday at Nettleton Stadium.
Thomson went 3-for-4, scored two runs, and knocked in another in the Wildcats' 4-1 win to start the day. He then went 2-for-4 in the nightcap and scored the winning run in the ninth to give the Wildcats their 20th win in their last 22 games.
Chico State improved to 31-13 overall and 21-11 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Chico State moved into sole possession of second place with the victories because UC Davis (27-19, 21-13 CCAA) split a doubleheader with Cal State L.A. Saturday.
Cal State San Bernardino fell to 21-24 overall and 12-21 in the CCAA.
Both pitching staffs were outstanding Saturday, but the Wildcats didn't have to face Thomson. Ivan Hernandez started the first game and scattered four hits in eight innings to collect the win and improve to 6-2. Clark Johnson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save of the season. John Paluck joined Thomson with three hits, and Chris Mendonsa and Ryan Wulfert each drove in a run.
Charles Rohr (5-3) took the loss for San Bernardino. Josh Thomas led the Coyotes' offense with a pair of hits and an RBI.
In Game Two, starters Mike Nunes of Chico and Casey Mutter of San Bernardino each surrendered just one run. However, Chico State relievers Scott Lemone and Nic Amanno combined to toss four shutout innings, while San Bernardino reliever Ray Cano couldn't get through one inning without giving up the winning run.
Cano came on in the 10th inning and Thomson greeted him with a single up the middle. Thomson moved up to second on Brett Polan's sacrifice bunt, and after Mendonsa was intentionally walked, both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Jeff Walker was then intentionally walked. With two out, San Bernardino third baseman Jeff Weld couldn't glove Steve Newson's ground ball cleanly, and Thomson scored the winning run.
John Moylan collected a pair of hits for the Wildcats, including a double in the bottom of the sixth that plated the tying run and sent the game into extra innings. Amanno earned the win to improve to 7-1. San Bernardino's only run came on Chris McAllen's sixth homer of the season.
Meggs gets win No. 400 as 'Cats sweep
CHICO – On an afternoon when Chico State head baseball coach Lindsay Meggs earned career win number 400, the Wildcats took a big step toward clinching a spot in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament by sweeping Cal State L.A.
The Wildcats improved to 29-13 overall and 19-11 in the CCAA with wins of 7-3 and 1-0. Cal State L.A., which entered the weekend in fifth place, fell to 20-24 overall and 16-16 in the CCAA. The top four teams in the conference advance to the championship tournament, scheduled for May 8-10.
John Paluck and Freddy Larios hit back-to-back homers to break a 3-all tie in the first game and lead the Wildcats to victory. In the process, Meggs won for the 400th time at Chico State. Justin Schwitters, Scott Lemone, and Clark Johnson combined on a five-hit shutout for the Wildcats in the second game. Meggs is now 401-165-2 as the Wildcats' head coach for a winning percentage of .708. Over the last eight years, his teams have a remarkable record of 346-113 (.754). Meggs entered the season as the ninth winningest active coach by percentage in NCAA Division II.
However, Meggs' biggest concern right now is this year's team. The Wildcats have won 18 of their last 20 games and nine of their last 10 to get back into the hunt for first place in the CCAA. Conference leader Sonoma State swept a doubleheader from Cal State San Bernardino Saturday to maintain a 1.5-game lead over the Wildcats and UC Davis, who are tied for second with eight games to go in the regular season. UC San Diego is currently in fourth place, four games behind Sonoma State.
Chico State actually trailed in Saturday's opening game before rallying for five runs in their last four at-bats. The Wildcats knotted the score at 3-all in the fifth when Scott Thomson scored on CSLA shortstop Richard Balcazar's error. The Wildcats took the lead for good the following inning when Paluck and Larios went back-to-back.
Paluck and Steve Newson finished the game with two RBI apiece for the Wildcats. Starter Brian Kroll tossed seven strong innings to get the win and improve to 5-3 on the season. Clark Johnson got the final out for his seventh save.
Mike Miller had three hits and an RBI to lead the L.A. offense. Jack Ell (1-3) took the loss, surrendered five runs, three of them earned, on seven hits in six innings of work.
In the second game, the Wildcats got all the runs they would need in the fourth inning when John Moylan tripled and scored on Paluck's sacrifice fly. Lemone picked up the win, tossing two-plus innings of shutout ball. Johnson pitched the ninth for his eighth save. Cody Wilkinson (4-1) took the hard-luck loss for Cal State L.A., scattering six hits and allowing just one run in six innings of play.
Chico's late-inning heroics fall flat
(April 18) – Poised for a second straight come-from-behind victory against Cal State L.A., Chico State's baseball team saw its ninth-inning rally come up short when Jeff Walker was thrown out trying to go from first to third on pinch hitter Chris Mendonsa's single to left field to end the game.
For the second straight night Wildcat pinch hitters Ryan Adams, Ryan Wulfert, and Mendonsa had hits to key a Chico State rally. After Adams' two-run homer made the score 6-5, Wulfert singled and Walker reached on a fielders' choice. That brought Mendonsa to the plate and he delivered a line-drive past third baseman Das Jesson. Left fielder Troy Young charged it and threw a strike to third base to nail Walker to end the game with No. 3 hitter John Paluck watching from the on-deck circle, however.
Young's was the second outfield assist of the night for Cal State L.A. (20-22, 16-14 CCAA). Corey Nolte threw out Chico State's Brett Polan at home in the sixth to preserve the Golden Eagles' one-run lead.
Chico State dropped just its second game in the last 18 to dip to 27-13 overall and 17-11 in the CCAA. The Wildcats now trail league-leading Sonoma State by 1.5 games.
Chico State head coach Lindsay Meggs was gunning for his 400th career victory, but that milestone will have to wait at least one more day. The final two games of the series will be played Saturday at Nettleton Stadium beginning at noon.
Many of Chico State's fireworks took place in the late innings because Cal State L.A. starter Kyle Schneider (4-3) kept the Wildcats quiet. Before the ninth, Schneider allowed just seven hits and three runs, two of them earned, while striking out seven and walking none. His bid for a complete-game ended but closer Philip Springman got the final two outs for his 10th save of the season.
Young paced the Golden Eagles' offense with two hits and a pair of RBI. Mike Miller notched three hits, and Corey Nolte, Tim Wilkerson, and Jessons tallied an RBI apiece.
Paluck and Freddy Larios banged out two hits apiece for Chico State. Starter Mike Nunes went six innings and gave up three runs before giving way to Scott Lemone (2-2) who surrendered a pair of unearned runs in two innings to take the loss.
Late inning runs win it for Chico State -
Wildcats win 16 of last 17
(Apr. 17) The Chico State baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to come from behind and beat Cal State L.A. 6-5 in the opening game of a California Collegiate Athletic Association four-game series.
The victory was the Wildcats 16th in their last 17 tries and gives Head Coach Lindsay Meggs 399 career victories at Chico State.
The late inning heroics were fueled by a RBI double down the left field line off the bat of pinch hitter Ryan Adams to score pinch hitter Chris Mendonsa. Mendonsa led led off the inning with a base hit up the middle. Pinch runner C.J. Larsen, running for Adams, then came around to score the go-ahead run on a poorly played chopper to the Golden Eagles' shortstop.
The Wildcats (27-12, 17-10 CCAA) led through seven innings before Cal State L.A. (19-22, 15-14 CCAA) blasted two home runs in the top of the eighth inning, including a lead-off shot to center by Troy Young and a two-run blast to right center by Tim Wilkerson to take a one-run lead. Wilkerson had a pair of two-run home runs in the game, giving him a team-high 14 on the year.
Nic Amanno (W 6-1) came on in relief after starter Ivan Hernandez gave up the lead-off homer to Young. He gave up the lead, but then recorded the win, giving up two runs on two hits, with three strike outs in one inning of work. Clark Johnson pitched the ninth, picking up his team-high sixth save and striking out two.
Brandon Higelin (L 0-3) took the loss for the Golden Eagles, giving up three runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings of middle relief. Starter Chris Johnson gave up three runs, two earned, and lasted just three innings, despite giving up just one hit.
Third baseman John Paluck was the only Wildcat with multiple hits, two singles, as Cal State L.A. out hit Chico State 12-9 in the game. Brandon Kawal was 3-for-4 for the Golden Eagles and Corey Nolte and Wilkerson each had two hits.
Tomorrow is Break the Record Night at Nettleton Stadium. Everyone in attendance will receive a Chico State Wildcat bobblehead. Game time is 7:00.
Wildcats jump into national rankings
(Apr. 14) With 15 wins in their last 16 attempts, the Chico State baseball team has made everyone take notice, including the committee that determines the national rankings. The Wildcats entered this week's poll at No. 22. Other West Region teams in the poll include Sonoma State at No. 12 and Southern Colorado tied at No. 14.
complete poll
Wildcats move into tie for first place with 15th win in last 16 games
(Apr. 11) CHICO – After a 3-9 conference start, the Chico State baseball team was more worried about playing good baseball than winning a conference title. Things have changed. The Wildcats moved into a first-place tie with UC San Diego thanks to a doubleheader sweep of the visiting Tritons Friday.
Steve Newson was 5-for-7 with a pair of home runs and five RBI in the double-dip, and the Wildcats pitching staff surrendered just two earned runs to lift Chico State to wins of 7-6 and 4-0.
The Wildcats, winners of 15 of their last 16 games, are now 16-10 in the CCAA. UC San Diego is 18-12, and Sonoma State is one-half game back at 15-10 after losing to Cal Poly Pomona 12-5 Friday.
After a defensive meltdown in which Chico State committed four errors leading to five UC San Diego runs in the fourth inning of the opener, Newson clobbered a three-run homer in the ninth to tie the game 6-6. John Moylan won it in the 11th with a solo home run. Nic Amanno (5-1) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the victory. Starter Ivan Hernandez scattered seven hits and struck out eight through nine innings of work.
Justin Suarez (0-2) took the loss for UC San Diego. Nigel Miller, Keith Hernandez, and David Hawk collected two hits apiece for the Tritons.
In the nightcap, Chico State starter Mike Nunes (4-3) tossed 6-plus scoreless innings before giving way to Clark Johnson, who struck out both batters he faced to earn his fifth save. Nunes allowed six hits and struck out seven.
Newson ripped a two-run homer in the first to stake Nunes to a 2-0 advantage. The Wildcats added a run in the fourth on Scott Thomson's sacrifice fly, and the game's final run in the fifth when Brett Polan scored on Newson's base hit.
Rafael Bergstrom (5-1) went the distance for UC San Diego but absorbed his first loss of the season. Keith Hernandez paced UC San Diego with a pair of hits.
Chico State head coach Lindsay Meggs collected his 398th career win and will be aiming for 400 when the same teams meet for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
Baseball team stays hot
(Apr. 6) PHOENIX, AZ – Just when it looked as if the red-hot Chico State baseball team might be cooling off, the Wildcats heated up again.
Chico State dropped the first game of a four-game series 3-1 at Grand Canyon Friday, but rebounded to win the last three games of the series 4-2, 5-4, and 7-2. They’ve now won 13 of their last 14 games and gone from last place in the CCAA into a three-way tie for third at 14-10.
The Wildcats trail CCAA leader UC San Diego (18-10) by two games and host the Tritons in a four-game series this weekend beginning Friday night at 7 o’clock. Sonoma State (15-9) currently sits in second place, while Chico State, UC Davis, and Cal State LA are all 14-10. The Wildcats are scheduled to play 12 of their last 16 conference games at home. The top four teams in the final standings advance to the CCAA’s postseason tournament.
Friday, the Wildcats’ Ivan Hernandez (5-2) pitched well enough to win, striking out 11 and allowing just three runs over eight innings, but took the loss. Grand Canyon’s Josh Blocher and Jeff Swanson combined on a five-hitter and surrendered just one unearned run. Brett Polan’s sacrifice fly was the Wildcats’ only RBI of the night.
Chico State bounced back with a doubleheader sweep Saturday. In Game One, the Wildcats scored four runs in the ninth for a come-from-behind 4-2 win. John Paluck singled to lead off the ninth and Steve Newson and Freddy Larios followed with consecutive doubles. Larios’ shot plated two runs to tie the score 2-2. Pinch hitter Ryan Wulfert coaxed a walk, both runners moved up on Trevor Weedon’s sacrifice bunt, and Scott Thomson was walked intentionally to load the bases. Polan took advantage with an RBI-single and Jeff Walker plated the game’s final run on a fielders’ choice.
Nic Ammano (3-1) picked up the victory, tossing 2-plus scoreless innings.
The Wildcats also came-from-behind in Game Two. Trailing 3-2 entering the sixth, Newson led off with a walk, and came around to score on John Moylan’s double to tie the game. Moylan later moved to third on a passed ball and scored on pinch hitter Ryan Wulfert’s bunt. Chico State added a key insurance run in the seventh and held on for the win. Ammano picked up his second win of the day in relief.
In Sunday’s finale, Chico State finally won the easy way by building a 5-0 lead and cruised to victory behind Steve Newson’s two two-run homers.
Wildcats make it 10 in a row
(Mar. 30) The Chico State baseball team won its tenth consecutive game, sweeping a four-game series versus last place Cal Poly Pomona over the weekend. The Wildcats have climbed back from the bottom of the California Collegiate Athletic Association to fifth place, improving their conference record to 11-9.
Chico now has the second best overall winning percentage (.656) in the CCAA behind Sonoma State, with a record of 21-11.
The hits were nearly even (48-47) but Chico managed to outscore Pomona 50-21 in the series by scores of 13-6, 19-4, 5-2, and 13-9. The difference in score is partially due to the fact that Pomona pitchers walked 26 Chico batters in the series. Chico runners were on base over half the time, accounting for a .503 on-base percentage.
Steve Newson, Freddy Larios, and John Moylan each hit a home run, combining for 18 RBI in the series. Newson hit .571 in the series with 5 RBI. In game three, Newson’s three-run blast in the top of the seventh inning propelled the Wildcats to a 5-2 victory. After 32 games, Newson leads the team in batting average (.402), home runs (5), and RBI (25). Larios now has two homers on the season, and Moylan has three.
Pitcher Scott Lemone picked up two wins in relief, holding Pomona scoreless in 5 1/3 innings of work. The only Chico starter to earn a win in the series was Mike Nunes, who pitched six strong innings in game two. Gabe Dominguez, who has surrendered only one earned run in 16 2/3 innings (0.54 ERA), shut down Pomona in the final three innings of that game.
The Wildcats travel to Grand Canyon University next weekend. Grand Canyon is also in the middle of the pack with a 14-13 CCAA record.
Wildcats washed out in Oregon
(Mar. 19) Western Oregon and Chico State, scheduled for a baseball doubleheader today and a single game on Thursday, have been washed out of all three games. After a dry night and morning, heavy rains arrived at about 11 am and by 11:30 the games were called. There is no make-up dates scheduled at this time.
Passed ball in extra innings gives Wildcats win
(Mar. 17) A passed ball in in the bottom of the eighth inning scored the winning run for Chico State, as the Wildcats swept a four-came CCAA series from San Francisco State with a 5-4 victory at Nettleton Stadium.
The Wildcats have now won six straight and improve to 17-11 overall, 7-9 in CCAA play. San Francisco lands at 9-16-1 overall, 5-11 in conference.
Both teams scored early in the game with the Gators holding a 4-3 lead after three innings, but a Chico State run in the fifth knotted the score and forced extra innings. The contest was a make-up of the seven-inning second game of yesterday's doubleheader, which was rained out.
In the opening frame, San Francisco put up two runs on just one hits due to three walks by starter Clint Patton, who lasted just two innings.
Chico answered back in the bottom of the inning. Brett Polan led off with a walk and Jeff Walker drove him in with a triple and scored on a sac fly by Steve Newson.
The Gators put up solo runs in the second and third on a sacrifice fly Gabe Bruen and a bases-loaded fielder's choice.
In the Wildcat third Ryan Wulfert drove in Polan with a single and then hit a long fly to center field in the fifth to plate Polan again and tie the game. Polan had two hits and scored three times for the 'Cats.
In the eighth, Wulfert reached on an error and was sacrificed to second. Intentional walks to John Paluck and one out later to pinch hitter Ryan Adams loaded the bases. With Scott Thompson at the plate, the ball got by the Gator catcher to score Wulfert.
Kroll fires complete-game shutout as Wildcats win 6-0
(Mar. 16) CHICO – Chico State starting pitcher Brian Kroll tossed a complete-game, five-hit shutout to lead the Wildcats to a 6-0 victory over San Francisco State Sunday afternoon.
The second game was halted due to lightening and rescheduled for Monday at noon.
Kroll (4-3) tossed his third complete-game shutout of the season, and in the process, helped the Wildcats win their fifth consecutive game. Kroll struck out two and didn't walk any batters. Chico State improved to 16-11 overall and 6-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. San Francisco State dipped to 9-15-1 and 5-10 in the CCAA.
Steve Newson and Jeff Walker knocked in two runs apiece to pace the Wildcats offense, which had an easy job thanks to the Chico State pitching staff over the weekend. San Francisco State has managed just five runs over the first three games of the four-game series.
Lance Stevens (2-3) was tagged with the loss for San Francisco State, which has dropped nine straight games. In six innings of work, Stevens gave up four hits and two runs, one of which was earned. He also struck out two and walked two.
When Stevens left the game, the Gators were well within striking distance, down 2-0. Chico's only two runs against Stevens came in the fifth. Tyrell Dokken led off with a single, and after Scott Thomson coaxed a one-out walk, Brett Polan advance both baserunners with a ground ball. They both came around to score when Jeff Walker's infield single bounded off the heel of San Francisco State shortstop Gabe Bruen's glove.
The Wildcats broke the game open in the seventh by scoring four runs against San Francisco State relievers Connor Bird and Eric Stein. Walker's RBI-double, followed by Newson's two-run single chased Bird from the game. Stein then walked a batter, hit another, and was called for a balk with the bases juiced, allowing Newson to score and giving Chico State a 6-0 lead.
James Rivero banged out two hits and was the only Gator to do so.
Chico State led the second game 3-2 after two innings before thunder clouds rolled in and lightning halted the game. Those two innings will not be included in tomorrow's seven-inning game.
Wildcats take pair from San Francisco State
(March 15) CHICO – The Chico State baseball team ran its winning streak to four games with a doubleheader sweep of San Francisco State Saturday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. Chico State won the first game 7-3 as eight different Wildcats banged out hits, including John Paluck who notched three. In Game Two, Paluck smashed a two-run homer and Ryan Wulfert collected three hits in a 3-2 win. Due to computer problems, the box scores and stats will not be available until later.
Chico State, which improved to 10-3 at home, is now 15-11 overall and 5-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. San Francisco State dipped to 9-14-1 overall and 5-9 in the CCAA.
Game One Chico State starter Ivan Hernandez's ability to work out of trouble was crucial for the Wildcats. Hernandez (5-1) was touched four nine hits and walked a pair in five-plus innings, but gave up just one run and struck out eight. That run came across when Rich Daly doubled and later came around to score on Wes Bentley's sacrifice fly.
Chico State took the lead for god in the bottom half of the inning, however, when Steve Newson scored on Wulfert's sacrifice fly and then Paluck drove Wulfert home with a double.
Chico State tacked on three more runs against San Francisco State starter Andrew Vasquez (2-3) in the sixth to make it 5-1. Moylan's RBI-grounder and Wulfert's sacrifice fly accounted for the first two runs, and pinch-hitter Tyrell Dokken later singled home Paluck.
After the Gators notched two runs off Chico State reliever Scott Lemone in the seventh, Chico State answered with a pair of runs in the eighth to salt the game away. Chico State's Nic Ammano and Clark Johnson combined on two scoreless innings of relief to keep San Francisco State at bey.
In Game Two, Mike Nunes (2-3) pitched five solid innings and Paluck pounded a two-run homer to key the Wildcats' win. Clark Johnson pitched the seventh to collect his third save of the season.
Jacob Fuata notched a pair of hits for San Francisco State and Nicholas Joly smacked an RBI-double and later came around to score. Leroy Stubbles (1-1) surrendered nine hits and three earned runs and was tagged with the loss for San Francisco State.
Wildcats take series from Western Oregon
(Mar. 9) CHICO – The Chico State baseball team wrapped up a four-game series against Western Oregon University with a 7-3 win today in Nettleton Stadium.
The Wildcats (13-11) woke up their bats, recording more hits (13) and runs (7) than they had in the last 11 games to win the series three games to one.
Chico scored early, putting up two runs in the opening frame on a RBI single to left by Ryan Wulfert and a hit to right field by John Moylan. Three more runs followed in the second inning, as Jeff Walker, Steve Newson, and Wulfert all drove in runs.
Moylan, who had three hits in the game, blasted a leadoff homer to right center in the third inning to give the Wildcats a 6-0 lead.
The game remained that way until Western Oregon (9-4) came back in the top of the fifth, scoring an unearned run on Tucker Brack's RBI single down the left field line. In the sixth inning, the first two Wolves got hits, knocking Chico starter Justin Schwitters (W, 3-0) out of the game, and went on to score two runs on pinch hitter Justin Brester's single to right and a sacrifice run off the bat of Lew England to make the score 6-3.
Chico's final run came in the bottom of the seventh when third baseman Chris Mendonsa drove in Steve Newson, who had opened the inning with a double to right center.
Schwitters pitched five innings, giving up three runs on six hits. He struck out and walked two batters. Clark Johnson came on with a runner on in the eighth to record two strikeouts and a ground ball to short. He picked up his second save of the year, shutting down the Wolves in order in the ninth.
Western Oregon starter Geoff Hilberg (L, 1-1) took the loss, pitching just 1.1 innings. He gave up five runs on six hits, walked two and struck out none.
Kroll's gem salvages split for Wildcats
(Mar. 8) CHICO – Brian Kroll fired a complete-game, five-hitter to rescue the Chico State baseball team's scuffling offense and salvage a doubleheader sweep against nationally-ranked Western Oregon Saturday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium.
The Wildcats dropped the first game 4-2 in 10 innings but rebounded to win the second game 3-1, to move to 12-11 on the season.
Western Oregon, ranked No. 23 in the nation entering the weekend, is now 9-3 overall.
The Wildcats and Wolves will wrap up their four-game series Sunday at noon at Nettleton Stadium. Chico State will be looking to snap an 11-game streak in which they've scored three runs or fewer.
Saturday, Chico State rallied in the bottom of the ninth to send the opener into extra frames. John Moylan singled home Jonathan Shepard to knot the score 2-2. However, Western Oregon answered with a pair of runs in the 10th to earn the victory. Lew England's one-out single got things started, and with two out, Tucker Brack singled him home. Jake Nelson added an RBI-single in the frame.
Justin Olson tossed a harmless bottom-half of the inning to collect the win for the Wolves. Olsen (3-0) pitched the last five innings, scattering three hits and allowing just one run. Starter Ryan Peterson lasted five innings and gave up six hits and one run.
Scott Lemone (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Wildcats, despite throwing five-plus innings and allowing four hits and two runs. Starter Mike Nunes exited with one out in the fifth having surrendered six hits, two walks, and a pair of runs.
In the second game, Jeff Walker, Steve Newson, and Cory Robles drove in a run each for the Wildcats, who scratched across runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings. Kroll (3-3) gave up five hits and struck out three in seven innings to pick up the win.
Jake Nelson banged out two hits and Jake Gardinier drove in the only run for the Wolves. Donavan Martin (1-1) took the loss for Western Oregon. He lasted four innings and allowed five hits and two earned runs.
Wildcats beat Wolves in series opener
(Mar. 7) CHICO – Chico State pitchers Ivan Hernandez and Nic Ammano combined for a five-hit shutout and the Wildcats scored three runs in the fifth to beat Western Oregon 3-0 in the first game of a four-game series tonight at Nettleton Stadium.
Hernandez (W, 4-1) scattered four hits and struck out nine in seven inning of work before giving up a leadoff single to Tim Nickerson in the eighth Inning. Nic Amanno came on after the hit for his team-high ninth appearance and shutdown the Wolves in the final two innings to pick up his first save of the season.
Chico's (11-10) run production is still lacking, but the three they managed to push across in the bottom of the fifth held up behind the pitching. Designated hitter Tyrell Dokken and catcher Trevor Weedon led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Pinch hitter Freddy Larios came up one out later and drove in the first run. The Wildcats scored the final two runs on squeeze plays off the bunts of Ricky Brown and Jonathan Shepard.
Luke Holscher (L, 1-2) allowed just two runners to reach base in the first four innings and settled down after the fifth to strike out four in the next two innings. He struck out eight in the game and four of his six hits came in the fourth inning. Jesse Hedeen came on to pitch the eighth, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts.
Western Oregon's (8-2) Marc Knight was the only player on either team to have more than one hit in the game, and produced the only extra inning hit of the game, a double down the left field line.
These same two teams meet tomorrow for a noon doubleheader and complete the four-game series with a single game on Sunday at noon.
Ivan Hernandez named Rawlings CCAA Pitcher of the Week
(Mar. 2) WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- CHICO STATE’s Ivan Hernandez has been named the Rawlings California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of February 24 through March 2. Hernandez, a senior from Sylmar, tossed a complete-game shutout against UC Davis last week. He allowed 7 hits, walked none and struck out 12 over 9 innings to lead the Wildcats to a 3-0 win over the Aggies. Hernandez struck out the side in the first and third innings and had 10 strikeouts after four frames.
2003 Rawlings CCAA Baseball Pitchers of the Week - Jan 27-Feb. 2 - Scott Geissler (Cal State Stanislaus); Feb. 3-9 - Brian Kroll (Chico State); Feb. 10-16 - Eric Biddlecome (Cal State L.A.); Feb. 17-23 - Rafael Bergstrom (UC San Diego); Feb. 24-Mar. 2 - Ivan Hernandez (Chico).
Wildcats continue to struggle, lose to UC Davis 5-3
(March 2) – For the eighth straight game the Chico State baseball team scored three runs or fewer and lost to visiting UC Davis 5-3 Sunday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. After taking the series opener from the Aggies Friday, Chico State lost the last three games of the series. The Wildcats have now lost nine of their last 12 games to fall to 10-10 overall and 3-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
UC Davis starter Trevor Thornton (3-1) tossed seven-plus effective innings for the Aggies, who have won seven of their last nine to improve to 10-5 overall and 8-4 in the CCAA. Travis Bearden came on in the eighth and surrendered one unearned run on one hit to collect his first save of the season.
Clark Johnson (1-1) took the loss for Chico State. He surrendered four runs on seven hits in four innings of work. However, reliever Scott Lemone was impressive, firing three-plus innings of no-hit baseball and striking out four in the process.
UC Davis scored single runs in the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth to take a 5-1 advantage. In the first, Ross Warner's sacrifice fly plated Robby Tulk. In the second, Tulk plated Soderman with a single up the middle. In the third, Andrew Reisinger's sacrifice fly plated Warner. In the fifth, Matt Kamagawachi rapped a leadoff triple and scored on Warner's base hit. In the sixth, Soderman hit a leadoff homer.
Chico State scratched across a run in the third when Ricky Brown was hit by a pitch and came around to score on Brett Polan's double.
The Wildcats made things interesting in the late innings, but could never put together a string of hits. In the eighth, Polan walked and came around to score on Steve Newson's one-out double. Bearden came on and got cleanup hit John Paluck and Ryan Wulfert to ground out to end the inning.
In the ninth, Freddy Larios led off with a single and later came around to score on Jeff Walker's sacrifice fly. However, the Wildcats failed to get anyone else aboard.
Warner led UC Davis' offensive attack with two hits and a pair of RBI. Newson was the only Wildcat to put together two hits.
Chico State will be home against Western Oregon in a four-game series next weekend. Friday's single game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday's doubleheader starts at noon. Sunday's series finale is set for noon.
Wilcats lose doubleheader in Davis
(Mar. 1) The UC Davis Aggies swept a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader against Chico State, 6-2 and 7-3, Saturday afternoon at Dobbins Stadium.
The pair of losses, the Wildcats fall to 10-9 on the year, 3-8 in conference play. The Aggies improve to 9-5 on the season, 7-4 in CCAA action.
Robby Tulk led off the game for UC Davis with a single to center and scored when Ryan Coultas doubled him home one batter later. Lukas Kirby doubled-home Andy Reisinger in the next inning to push the Aggie lead to 2-0.
In the fourth, Chico cut the lead in half following a Steve Newson home run to left field.
UC Davis broke it open in the bottom of the inning as they scored four runs, all coming with two outs, which is all Aggie pitcher Julio Marquez (W, 3-0) needed. The senior was in control all afternoon, scattering seven hits and allowing two runs. He struck out seven Wildcats against one walk.
Brian Kroll started for Chico State, going seven innings, allowing all six runs. The Aggies pounded out 12 hits in the game, including five that produced runs with two outs.
Newson went 4-for-4 for Chico State, including a home run, double, and an RBI.
In the nightcap, the Aggies were spotted to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Ross Warner laced a two-run double down the left field line, scoring Tulk and Kamigawachi.
The lead grew to 5-0 before Chico battled back with three runs in the top of the sixth, the big blow being a Newson two-run double with two outs.
Michael Potter (W, 2-1) started for UC Davis and worked into the fifth inning scattering seven hits and striking out four. He left in the fifth with runners on second and third, but Joel Needham came on to strike out Freddy Larios and end the Wildcat threat.
The Wildcats received a pair of hits from Newson, Ryan Wulfert and Brett Polan as they also pounded out 10 hits. Mike Nunes (L, 1-3) took the mound for Chico, lasting four innings and surrendering three runs.
These same two teams will complete the four-game series on Sunday with a single game at Chico State. First pitch is set for noon.
Hernandez masterful in Chico State's 3-0 win
(Feb. 28) Ivan Hernandez tossed a complete-game shutout and struck out 12 as the Chico State baseball team beat rival UC Davis 3-0 Friday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium
Hernandez (3-1) struck out the side in the first and third innings and had 10 strikeouts through four innings as Chico State (10-7, 3-6 CCAA) built a 3-0 lead. UC Davis starter Dave McKae gave up three earned runs on just three hits in seven-plus innings to take the loss. He's now 2-2 on the season.
Tyrell Dokken started Chico State's only real rally of the afternoon by getting hit by a pitch leading off the third. After Dokken advance to third on McKae's throwing error, Brett Polan coaxed a walk to put runners on the corners. Chris Mendonsa singled home Dokken and Steve Newson's sacrifice fly plated Polan to make it 2-0. John Paluck added a two-out RBI-single and Hernandez had more than enough cushion.
Hernandez scattered seven hits and didn't allow a walk.
Robby Tulk, Mark Wells, and Dustin Soderman collected two hits apiece for the Aggies, who dipped to 7-5 overall and 5-4 in the CCAA.
Scuffling Wildcats get help to split
(Feb. 23) CHICO – Three unearned runs were all the Chico State baseball team could muster Sunday in a doubleheader against visiting Sonoma State. Luckily for the Wildcats, all the runs came during the opener, a 3-2 victory. The Wildcats managed only four hits in the nightcap and lost 8-0 to fall to 9-7 overall and 2-6 in the CCAA.
Sonoma State (13-5-1, 5-3 CCAA) won three of four games in the series and limited the Wildcats to five runs in the process. In the nightcap, Nate Durham-Hammer crushed a seventh-inning grand slam and finished the game with five RBI. Dennis Peters went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
Noah Sweeters, Ryan McClelland, and Landon Buck combined on a complete-game four-hitter for the Seawolves. Sweeters pitched four-plus inning to collect the win and improve to 3-1. Jeff Mayberry lasted only one inning in his season debut for the Wildcats, allowing four unearned runs on four hits.
Chico State has now scored one run or fewer in five of its last seven games. But the Wildcats' offense got a break in the opener when Sonoma State shortstop Gil Barry committed three errors which led to all three Chico State runs. Barry made back-to-back errors to start the second inning. Ryan Adams followed with a single to load the bases, and Scott Thomson smacked an RBI-single. Pinch hitter Chris Mendonsa added a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
Sonoma State knotted the score at 2-2 in the fourth when Brandon Burgess hit a two-run double. But Barry allowed Steve Newson to reach on an error to start the eighth and he eventually came around to score on Wulfert's double, which proved to be the game-winning hit.
Chico State is back in action this Friday when they host UC Davis at 2:30 p.m.
Baseball team continue's early-season slide
(Feb. 22) ROHNERT PARK – The Chico State baseball team dropped to 1-5 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and 8-6 overall with a 7-1 defeat at the hands of host Sonoma State Saturday afternoon in Rhonert Park. The Wildcats have now scored one run or fewer in four of their last five games and have lost five of their last six.
Sonoma State improved to 12-4-1 overall and 4-2 in the CCAA.
Chico State's only run came of Ryan Adams' bases-loaded sacrifice fly to plate Steve Newson in the eighth. However, after loading the bases with no outs, that was all the Wildcats could muster. Cory Robles lined into a double play to end the inning.
Meanwhile, Chico State starter Brian Kroll pitched effectively, surrendering two runs, one of them earned, on four hits in five plus innings. But for the second consecutive day the relief corps couldn't keep it close. Nic Ammano and Justin Schwitters surrendered five runs on five hits over the next two innings as Sonoma State put the game away.
Sonoma State's Darren Sack tossed six-plus scoreless innings to pick up the win and improve to 4-0. Ryan McClelland pitched a flawless final two innings to collect his first save of the year.
Dennis Peters and Brandon Burgess each homered for the Seawolves.
The same teams will play a doubleheader Sunday at Chico State beginning at noon.
Wildcats lose big in first game with Sonoma
(Feb. 21) ROHNERT PARK -- Sonoma State took advantage of a grand slam and two three-run homers to break open what looked to be a low scoring affair on Friday afternoon at Seawolf Diamond, as Sonoma State took game one of a four-game series with rival Chico State, 12-1.
Seawolf starter Tim Worthington (W, 4-0) had bouts of wildness, but generally dominated the 'Cats, allowing just two hits over six innings of work. Chico starter Ivan Hernandez (L, 2-1) struggled, but did manage to hold the Seawolves to just a 2-1 lead through five innings, but that's when the damage began.
In the sixth inning, Dennis Peters knocked reliever Nic Amanno out of the game with a grand slam. Then in the seventh pinch hitter Armando Ornelas hit a three-run homer off Gabe Dominguez and followed it up with another three-run shot in the eighth.
Chico State falls to 8-5 overall, 1-4 in CCAA play. Sonoma State improves to 11-4-1 overall, 3-2 in conference play.
The series continues tomorrow with a single game at noon, then the 'Cats return home to host the Seawolves in a Sunday doubleheader at noon.
Wildcats humbled at Stanislaus
(Feb. 14-16) TURLOCK, Calif. -- The Chico State baseball team will be ranked No. 2 in the nation no more.
The Wildcats dropped three out of four games against Cal State Stanislaus over the weekend to drop to 1-3 in the CCAA and 7-4 overall. The host Warriors finished 10-30 in the CCAA last season, but seem to have improved under first-year head coach Kenny Leonesio. Stanislaus is 6-4-1 overall and 3-1 in the CCAA.
Chico State dropped the first three games of the series, getting outscored 14-4 in the process. Stanislaus won the first game 8-3 despite Steve Newson's two-run home run. Newson gave the Wildcats a chance to win the first game of Saturday's doubleheader when he Brett Polan to tie the game 1-1 in the ninth. However, Justin Schwitters walked home the winning run for Stanislaus in the 10th. The Warriors took the second game of the double-dip 4-0 as Andrew Barrett toosed a complete-game four-hitter.
The Wildcats finally turned things around in Sunday's series finale as Clark Johnson pitched seven scoreless innings in his first start of the season and John Paluck went 4-for-4, including a two-run triple. John Moylan added a solo home run.
The Wildcats travel to Sonoma State for games on Frdiay at 2:30 and Saturday at noon, then return home to host Sonoma in a Sunday doubleheader at noon.
Chico State's Brian Kroll named Rawlings CCAA Pitcher of the Week
(Feb. 11) WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- CHICO STATE righthander Brian Kroll has been named the Rawlings California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of February 3-9.
Kroll, a junior from Livermore, defeated Oregon Tech and Concordia (CA) with a pair of dominating one-hit efforts.
He allowed 1 hit, walked none and struck out 7 over 7 innings to earn the win in an 18-0 shutout of OIT. Kroll then went the distance of a 7-inning 9-0 win at Concordia, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 3 to earn the shutout. His no-hit bid was broken up with two out in the final inning.
For the week, Kroll went 2-0 with a 0.00 earned run average after
allowing two hits and two walks and striking out 10.
2003 Rawlings CCAA Baseball Pitchers of the Week - Jan 27-Feb. 2 - Scott Geissler (Cal State Stanislaus); Feb. 3-9 - Brian Kroll (Chico State).
'Cats finish roadtrip with doubleheader sweep
(Feb. 8) The Chico State baseball team swept Concordia University in a doubleheader on Saturday, 9-0 and 10-2, in Irvine. The Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division II pre-season poll, got a one-hitter from Brian Kroll (2-0) in the opener, setting the tone for a great day for Chico State.
Kroll was just one out away from throwing a no-hitter in the morning game, when Alex Garcia singled to left field on a 2-2 count. The Wildcats handed Eagle starter John Carreon (0-1) the loss, tagging him for seven runs over five innings. John Moylan and Freddy Larios had three hits apiece for Chico State.
Chico State (7-1) got on board first in the night cap with a run in the second inning. Concordia tied the score in the bottom of the inning, and again tied things up in the bottom of the fourth on a base-loaded walk to Hank Lobel.
The Wildcats took the lead for good in the fifth, scoring four runs, all unearned, as a series of errors and bloop plays kept the inning alive. Chico State went on to add four runs over the final two innings to walk away with the sweep.
Steve Newson had three hits for Chico in the night cap. Ryan Adams collected three RBI on a sixth-inning double. Justin Schwitters (1-0) picked up the win in relief.
Aaron Duhamel (1-2) took the loss for Concordia as they dropped to 2-7 on the season. Lobel, Dave Blincoe and Lance Fujii each had two hits in the losing cause.
'Cats suffer first loss of season
(Feb. 7) The Chico State baseball team will not duplicate last year’s feat of winning 20-straight games to open the season. After winning five in a row to start 2003, Chico lost to Biola University by a score of 3-1.
In uncharacteristic Chico fashion, the Wildcats’ offense was quiet, with five different players each getting one hit. Chico’s lone run came when John Paluck scored on a double play hit into by Chris Mendonsa. Mike Nunes (1-1) lost his first game of the season, scattering eight hits and giving up three earned runs in five innings.
Biola designated hitter Matt Colin led off the second inning with a solo homerun to right center. Later in the inning, Todd Stevenson smacked a RBI double to left center to make it 2-0. That's all the support that pitcher Jon Grijalva would need in improving his record to 1-1. Five other Biola pitchers combined to shut out the Wildcats in the final four innings.
Newson, Paluck, Adams homer in 10-1 victory
(Feb. 6) Steve Newson, Ryan Adams and Jon Paluck each homered in the second inning as the Chico State baseball team smashed host Point Loma Nazarene 10-1 Thursday.
Ivan Hernandez, Gabe Dominguez, and Matt Gaylord combined on a three-hitter as the Wildcats improved to 5-0. Hernandez improved to 2-0 with the win.
Chico State scored seven runs in the second. Adams a Paluck blasted back-to-back homers with one out, and Newson later added a three-run shot. Scott Thomson added an RBI single and later scored on a wild pitch.
Hernandez gave up a solo homer in the bottom half of the second. It was the only hit he allowed in five innings of work. He struck out five and walked three. Dominguez surrendered two hits and struck out one in three innings of work. Gaylord worked a 1-2-3 ninth and registered a strikeout.
Ryan Wulfert added an RBI double in the third to make it 8-1. Chico State added the finishing touches with a pair of runs in the seventh. Adams started the scoring with a run-scoring single and Wulfert drove in another run with a sacrifice fly.
'Cats complete four-game sweep of Oregon Tech
(Feb. 3) Starters Brian Kroll and Clint Patton teamed with relievers Gabe Dominguez and Clark Johnson on a pair of shutouts as the Chico State University baseball team completed a four-game sweep of visiting Oregon Tech with wins of 18-0 and 4-0 Monday.
The Wildcats (4-0) beat Oregon Tech (0-6) 9-1 and 4-3 Saturday.
Monday's offensive standout was Chico State first baseman John Moylan, who set the school record with a hit in his 20th straight game in the opener. His RBI single in the first made his hitting streak one game longer than Steve Gotowala, who put together a 19-game streak in 1997.
Moylan's single plated Chico State's first run of the opener, but definitely not the last. C.J. Larsen's grand slam later in the inning made it 6-0. Larsen finished with a game-high four RBI. Ryan Wulfert plated three runs, while Brett Polan, Cory Robles, Moylan, and Scott Thomson knocked in two runs apiece.
However, the first run was all Wildcats starter Brian Kroll proved to need. After allowing a two-out single to Ryan Wilson in the first inning, Kroll didn't allow another hit. He did hit two batters with pitches while striking out seven in seven innings of work. Reliever Gabe Dominguez worked the last two innings, striking out two and giving up just one hit.
In the nightcap, Chico's offense wasn't as sharp, but the pitching was. Patton pitched six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out three. Clark Johnson pitched the seventh without allowing a hit and striking out two.
Steve Newson, Ryan Adams, Larsen, and Polan each drove in a run for the Wildcats. Moylan went 0-for-2, ending his record-setting streak at 20 games.
Wildcats open season with wins over OIT
(Feb. 1) The Chico State baseball season opened the 2003 season with a doubleheader sweep of Oregon Tech, beating the Hustlin’ Owls 9-1 and 4-3 in Nettleton Stadium.
The weather was doubtful early in the day, but the rain subsided and the field was readied for play. The Wildcats scored their first run in the bottom of the first when right fielder Jonathan Shepard drove in leadoff hitter Jeff Walker with a single through the right side.
Ivan Hernandez (W, 1-0), who last year posted a 9-2 record last season, was given the starting nod in the opener. He pitched six innings, giving up one run in the second inning. He gave up four hits, while striking out five and walking four. Relievers Nic Ammano and Matt Gaylord held the Owls scoreless in the final three innings.
The Wildcats big inning came in the sixth when they plated five runs on four hits, including RBI doubles by second baseman Scott Thomson and shortstop Walker. Thomson was 3-for-3 in the game and scored twice. Centerfielder Steve Newson and first baseman John Moylan each had two hits in the game.
Oregon Tech’s only run came in the second inning on a long home run to left field off the bat of Kevin Heim. Second baseman Patrick Johnson had two hits for the Husltin’ Owls. Starting pitcher J.C. Guthrie (L, 0-1) took the loss, giving up eight runs on eight hits.
In game two Oregon Tech took the early lead with a run in the top of the first when Caleb Robbins put up a sacrifice fly to scored A.J. Norris, who reached on a wild pitch strikeout to open the game.
The Wildcats did not stay down long, scoring two in the bottom of the third inning when Brandon Vorhees walked and came around to score and Steve Newson singled and scored an unearned run.
Oregon Tech tied the score in the fifth with a run on back-to-back doubles by Patrick Johnson and Ryan Wilson. The Hustlin’ Owls then took the lead in the top of the final seventh inning when John Jefferson reached base on a single through the left side and advanced on a pick-off play and scored on a throwing error by the Wildcat shortstop.
In typical Chico State style, the Wildcats battled back in the bottom of the frame Vorhees scored pinch runner Jonathan Shepard and relief pitcher Tim Hanbey (L, 0-1) was greeted with a single to right field off the bat of Steve Newson for the winning run.
Justin Schwitters (1-0) picked up the win in relief, giving up one run on three hits in two innings. He struck out five and walked one.
The same two teams meet on Monday for another doubleheader, beginning at 1:00.