2004 Baseball season

05/26/04
Wildcats' Burger Second Team All-American
Chico State relief pitcher Nick Burger was named to the 2004 Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association's Second Team All-American team it was announced this week.

Burger, who saved 14 games for the Wildcats, was second in the nation in that category this season. His saves total was the second highest in school history, just one fewer than John Soldate's 15 in 1997.

Burger is Chico State's 14th All-American honoree since Lindsay Meggs took over the program in 1994. He joins former Chico State closers Soldate (1997), Brian Grover (1999), and Dale Thayer (2002) on the list.

Burger, only a junior this season, is only two saves shy of Chico State's career record of 16 held by Grover.

05/24/04
Wildcats eliminated from Championship in two games
MONTGOMERY, ALA – The back of Chico State’s 2004 tee-shirts read Sweet home Alabama. The school’s fifth trip to Montgomery for the Division II College World Series in eight years left a sour taste in the Wildcats’ mouths, however.

Chico State was knocked out in two games for the first time ever with a 10-3 loss to Rollins College of Florida Monday afternoon in a loser’s bracket game.

Today was a tough day for everybody in our program, said Chico State Head Coach Lindsay Meggs.

Wildcat hurlers Drew Carpenter, Salvador Camarena, and Robert Anaya were hammered for 17 hits and 10 runs over the game’s first six innings. Rollins starter Steve Edsall, meanwhile, rendered Chico State batters virtually helpless.

The South Region’s Most Valuable Pitcher, Edsall struck out nine batters and surrendered only one earned run on six hits over seven frames to improve to 9-0 on the season.

(Rollins) did a nice job of staying on pitches and they handled the fastball well, said Meggs, whose team allowed a season-high 20 hits. Regarding Edsall’s performance, Meggs had this to say: He manhandled us.

Chico State faced deficits of 5-0 in the fourth and 10-1 in the sixth and could never mount a serious rally. Ryan Mathes’s fourth-inning RBI-double gave the Wildcats their first run. Jeff Walker added an RBI-single in the seventh, and Jay Hyland smashed a solo home run in the eighth

Rollins, on the other hand, scored its runs in bunches. Only freshman Nick Bryant, who pitched the final three-plus innings for Chico State, was effective. He didn’t allow a run and gave up only three hits. But prior to that, the Tars scored twice in the second, three times in the fourth, and five more times in the sixth.

If there was one ray of hope for the Wildcats Monday, it was in the eight underclassmen in the starting lineup.

Looking back on this season I really feel good, said Meggs. We really thought we were a year away (from returning to Alabama) when it began because of all the new faces. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys and proud of this season with all that we’ve accomplished.

Chico State finished the year with a record of 42-21-1.

05/22/04
Chico State falls to Grand Valley in Championship opener
Wildcats to play Rollins College, Monday at 12:30 (PST)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - MONTGOMERY, ALA -– Two of the best teams in the nation played one of the greatest games in the history of the NCAA Division II College World Series Saturday night. Unfortunately for the Chico State Wildcats, they were on the losing end of a 2-1 12-inning affair against Grand Valley State University of Michigan in their opening round game.

The Wildcats scored the tying run in the ninth inning on Jeff Walker’s single, had two runners thrown out at the plate, and stranded 12 runners on base.

Chico State starter Brian Kroll tossed nine innings of five-hit baseball, while Grand Valley’s starter Matt Rafeld fired eight shutout innings before giving up the tying run in the ninth.

Eventually, in a battle of two of the nation’s top closers, GVSU’s Joe Finnerty (4-0) shut out Chico State for three-plus frames and Nick Sandy came through with an RBI-single through the left side in the bottom of the 12th against Chico State’s Nick Burger (3-5) for the game-winning run.

Chico State will now attempt to make its way through the loser’s bracket of the eight-team, double-elimination tournament beginning Monday when it faces Rollins College at 12:30 p.m. (PST).

We’ve done in the hard way all year, said Chico State head coach Lindsay Meggs. Don’t count us out yet.

Many had counted out the Wildcats as they headed to the ninth against GVSU. Rafeld scattered six hits, no two in the same inning, over the first eight. The bearded lefty, this year’s Most Valuable Pitcher in the North Central Region, walked pinch hitter Cody
Smith with one out. Trevor Weedon’s infield single put runners on first and second, and then Walker lined a single to right field to plate Smith. That was all the damage the Wildcats could do, though, as Joseph Ramos grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Chico State fell behind 1-0 in the third when GVSU’s Scott Smith laced an RBI single. It was one of only five hits the Lakers mustered against Kroll on the night.

The Wildcats attempted to tie the game in the sixth, but Ryan Wulfert was thrown out at home after Josh Levin’s pinch-hit single.

The Wildcats had another run cut down at the plate in the 12th. Jonathan Shepard rapped a two-out single and then stole second. Brian Lucas followed with a grounder up the middle and it looked like Shepard would score easily. But Lakers shortstop Ryan Lyster made a diving stop, got up, and easily threw out Shepard at the plate.

We play aggressive baseball. That’s what we do, explained Meggs. We feel like if our opposition isn’t feeling the pressure then we’ll be feeling the pressure. They just made a bunch of great plays. But we aren’t going to stop being aggressive now.

Ramos, Walker, Shepard, and Lucas each finished with two hits for Chico State, which outhit GVSU 11-7.

05/17/04
Wildcats to open D-II College World Series against Grand Valley State Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (PST)
The two-time national champion Chico State baseball team (1997 and 1999) will open the 2004 NCAA Division II College World Series against North Central Region champion Grand Valley State of Michigan Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (PST).

The Lakers boast a record of 43-15 and the No. 6 ranking in the country. They've won 30 of their last 34 games, including two straight against top-seeded Ashland last Saturday to earn their second consecutive trip to Alabama. In 2002, the Lakers went 1-2 in the tournament.

Chico State, champion of the Western Region, is making its fifth trip to Montgomery in eight seasons. The Wildcats won the national title in 1997 and 1999, finished second in 2002, and lost in the 1998 semifinals. Chico State is 42-19-1 overall, ranked No. 4 in the nation, and has won its last seven games.

Under Head Coach Lindsay Meggs, the Wildcats are 13-3 all-time at the College World Series.

The winner of Saturday's game will face the Bryant-Rollins winner Monday at 4:30 (PST). The loser will face the Bryant-Rollins loser Monday at 12:30 (PST)

05/17/04
Kroll, Burger First-Team All West Region
Starting pitcher Brian Kroll and closer Nick Burger both earned First-Team All West Region honors as announced by the American Baseball Coaches Association Monday.

Kroll, the team's senior ace, is 9-3 with a 3.81 earned run average and six complete games heading into the NCAA Division II Championship Baseball Tournament. In the postseason, Kroll is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA. Kroll has quietly put together one of the best individual season in Chico State history. His 94 strikeouts and 125.1 innings pitched are both second in school history. He also ranks among the school's single-season top 10 in starts (17) and complete games.

Burger, a junior transfer from Bakersfield Community College, ranks second in the nation with 14 saves. Overall, he's 3-4 with a 4.02 ERA, but as a reliever, Burger has a 1.73 ERA, having allowed just five runs in 26 innings. Burger's 14 saves leave him just one behind John Soldate's top single-season mark in school
history, 15, set in 1997.

05/15/04
Chico State wins D-II West Regional
Joseph Ramos named tournament MVP
PUEBLO, Colo. - They took the road less travelled, but the Chico State baseball team is heading back to the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament in Montgomery, Ala., May 22-29.

The Wildcats won their fifth Western Regional Championship in eight years, but their first on the road, with a 4-1 victory over rival Sonoma State Saturday at Rawlings Field on the campus of Colorado State-Pueblo in Pueblo, Colo.

Winning this on the road is one of the great accomplishments in the history of our program, said Chico State coach Lindsay Meggs.

And that history has been full of big victories. The win Saturday was the 450th of Meggs' career. The Wildcats will now set their sights on winning their third national title since 1997.

Today we accomplished our second goal, said Wildcats outfielder Jonathan Shepard. We're going to enjoy it for a couple days and then go try to reach our third goal, a national title.

If the Wildcats play like they did in Pueblo, they have to be considered a favorite. Chico State outscored its opponents 31-6 and allowed only one run over the last 24 innings of action.

Mike Jones gave Chico State its third outstanding start of the tournament Saturday, tossing eight innings of seven-hit baseball and allowing only one run. Nick Burger came on with one runner on in the ninth to retire the Seawolves for his 14th save. Burger induced pinch-hitter Doug Bauman to fly out to Shepard in center field for the final out.

This is wonderful, said Jones, who improved to 9-3 on the season. The reason I came to Chico State was to get to Alabama. To win the game that got us there was a great experience.

Crafty Sonoma State lefty Aaron Damm cooled Chico State's sizzling bats a bit, but not enough to keep up with Jones.

Ryan Mathes led off the second inning with a solo home run and Scott Thomson bunted home Jay Hyland later in the innign to give the Wildcats a 2-0 cushion.

Sonoma State got its only run of the game an inning later when Aaron O'Dell's sacrifice fly plated catcher Evan Anderson. Jones got out of the inning without allowing further damage, however, and retired the next 14 batters in order.

Meanwhile, Chico State added to its lead with two more runs in the fifth. Tournament MVP Joseph Ramos smacked his eighth hit of the weekend with one out to start the rally. Shepard then reached on an error, allowing Ramos to advance to third. Ramos scored on a wild pitch and then Brian Lucas plated Shepard with a single up the middle to make it 4-1.

Ramos finished 2-for-3 to lead the offense. Nevertheless, it was the Wildcats' defense that created the biggest buzz of the regional. Led by the double-play combination of shortstop Thomson and second baseman Jeff Walker, the Wildcats made outstanding play after outstanding play in the field.

Walker's perfect relay throw to Ramos at third base to get Sonoma's Colton Daines in his bid for a triple in the second inning set the tone for the day.

It's huge for us to have this defense behind us, said Jones. All we have to do is throw strikes and we know the defense is going to make plays behind us.

That defense and strong pitching will be the key for the Wildcats in Alabama.

If you're going to win at this point in the season you have to be able to pitch and play great defense, explained Meggs. Right now we're doing both, and obviously the guys are swinging the bats well right now. We're peaking at the right time.

One month ago, a trip to Alabama almost seemed out of reach for the Wildcats, who were struggling to make the CCAA Championship Tournamnent. Still, Meggs knows the team's regular-season struggles don't make a difference in the postseason.

Our guys know that whether it's in the regional or in Alabama, there's no place for us to hide. Whether we were the number one seed or not, we were expected to win this thing, said Meggs. That's part of what it means to be a Wildcat.

Chico State's schedule and opponent will be announced Monday.

2004 West Region All-Tournament Team

Pitcher -- Drew Carpenter, Chico State
Pitcher -- Darren Sack, Sonoma State
Catcher -- Danny Cummins, CSU-Pueblo
1B -- Tom Everidge, Sonoma State
2B -- Jeff Walker, Chico State
3B -- Joseph Ramos, Chico State
SS -- Scott Thomson, Chico State
OF -- Jay Hyland, Chico State
OF -- Tony Wittmus, CSU-Pueblo
OF -- Ryan Mathes, Chico State
DH -- Brett Barrios, CSU-Pueblo
MVP -- Joseph Ramos, Chico State

05/14/04
Wildcats advance to championship game of West Regional
PUEBLO, Colo. - Chico State freshman Drew Carpenter threw an eight-hit shutout as the Wildcats crushed top-seeded Colorado State-Pueblo 16-0 in the NCAA Division II West Regional Friday afternoon in Pueblo, Colo.

Carpenter, a right-hander from Vacaville, scattered eight ThunderWolves hits while walking four and striking out two as he improved to 7-1 on the year. It was the first time since April 17, 2003 that Pueblo was shut out, and the ThunderWolves has scored at least three runs in each game this season.

I was just trying to go out there and throw strikes and let the defense work for me, Carpenter said.

Carpenter showed no nerves pitching in his first regional.

He's got a pretty good disposition as far as success and failure go, Chico State coach Lindsay Meggs said. He isn't your typical freshman, and after 50 games or so, he's no longer a freshman in my mind. He's a pretty big boy right now.

Chico State, which improved to 41-19-1, moves into the championship round Saturday at noon (11:00 PST). The Wildcats have yet to lose in the double-elimination tournament and would have to be beaten twice by Sonoma State, which downed Pueblo 6-5 in 12 innings in Friday evening's elimination game. The Wildcats were 4-1 against the Seawolves this season.

The Wildcats are looking for their first regional title on the road, having won their previous four while playing at Nettleton Stadium. Chico State, ranked No. 8 in the nation, has also won 11 its last 13 on the road.

Carpenter had little pressure on him as Wildcat batters jumped on Pueblo early, scoring six earned runs on eight hits through the first three frames. Pueblo's Joey Newby fell to 10-3 after going three innings, walking none and striking out five.

The Wildcats battered Pueblo pitching for 20 hits on the afternoon, led by third baseman Joseph Ramos' 5-for-6 effort and a 3-for-6 performance from first baseman Brian Lucas. Ramos also scored three times and Lucas doubled, scored twice and knocked in three runs.

Jeff Walker and Scott Thomson also added three hits apiece for the Wildcats. Walker scored twice and Thomson knocked in two runs. Ryan Wulfert and Jay Hyland pitched in two hits each, with Wulfert doubling and knocking in a pair of runs.

Ryan Mathes and Jeff Mayberry both doubled, and Mathes drove in three runs. Jonathan Shepard tripled and scored three times as every Wildcat starter had at least one hit.

Everybody has these days, Meggs said. That team we beat is a very good team. Its just one of those days where everything we hit was falling and everything they hit didn't. I'm sure if we played them again it would be a different ballgame.

Pueblo concluded its season with a 44-10-1 mark.

05/13/04
Wildcats win opening game at West Regional
PUEBLO, Colo. - Cold, rainy conditions couldn't cool off the red-hot Chico State baseball team's bats Thursday in Pueblo, Colo.

The Wildcats hammered Mesa State University 11-5 in the opening game of the NCAA Division II West Regional Tournament to advance to the winners' bracket to face Colorado State-Pueblo, Friday at 1 p.m. (PST).

It was the third time in four games the Wildcats reached double-figures. They're averaging 11 runs per game in the postseason.

From the beginning we've been telling the guys that we want to be playing our best baseball at the end of the year, said Chico State coach Lindsay Meggs. The fact that right now we're playing the game very well is what we were hoping for.

Chico State's offensive surge, keyed Thursday by Jay Hyland's three-run home run, made a winner out of starter Brian Kroll (9-3). After surrendering five runs on seven hits over the first three innings, Kroll fired six scoreless innings for his 10th career complete game.

I really felt coming in we were going to have to get going early and try to get Kroll out of the game. We just couldn't quite finish the job, said Mesa State coach Chris Hanks. Then that 5-2 lead disappeared quickly.

In fact, Mesa State's early 5-2 lead was gone two innings later. Chico State cut the lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the third on Brian Lucas' RBI double. In the fourth, the Wildcats exploded. Trevor Weedon's one-out walk started things. He scored thanks to consecutive singles by Scott Thomson and Jeff Walker.

Thomson scored on a wild pitch to knot the score 6-6 and Jonathan Shepard gave the Wildcats the lead for good with an RBI double. Hyland then broke the game open with a long three-run homer to right field, giving the Wildcats a 9-5 advantage.

My first couple at-bats I left runners in scoring position and I was kind of unhappy about that, said Hyland. When I got the pitch I was sitting on (a fastball), I just turned on it.

Hyland and Ryan Mathes banged out RBI hits in the sixth to cap the scoring.

Hyland finished 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Mathes, who hit a solo homer, finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. Shepard went 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Walker added two hits and two runs as the Wildcats improved to 40-19-1. They've now won 10 of their last 12 road games.

Trask Munoz led Mesa State (44-18) with three hits.

Mavericks ace Jared Ferrans took the loss to fall to 10-2 on the year.

Chico State is attempting to win its first regional title on the road under Meggs. The Wildcats have won all four regionals they've hosted, but they came up short in the title games of both of their opportunities on the road in 1996 and 2000.

If they win today, they'll advance to the regional title for the seventh time in seven appearances under the direction of Meggs. If they lose, they'll play again tonight at 5 p.m. (PST) in an elimination game.

The winner of each of the eight regional tournaments taking place throughout the nation will advance to the NCAA Division II College World Series in Montgomery, Ala., May 22-29.

05/12/04
Wildcats take on Mesa State in opening regional game
Thursday, 1:00 (PST)...Listen live on KPAY and the internet
Chico State enters the West Regional coming off its best baseball of the season. The Wildcats mowed through the early competition at the CCAA Championship tournament last weekend and hung on for an 8-7 win over Sonoma State to win CCAA title.

Now the ’Cats get an opportunity to take on the top two teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

The Wildcats are making their seventh appearance at the West Regional in the last nine years. The ’Cats won the regional title in 2002, 1999, 1998, and 1997.

No. 2 seed Chico State (39-19-1) takes on No. 3 Mesa State (44-17) in the opening game of the tournament. Mesa State is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation and is participating in the regional for the second time in three seasons.

Last weekend at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship, Mesa State beat regional host Colorado State University, Pueblo 10-4 in a must-win situation to force a second game for the title. Pueblo won the RMAC championship game with a 10-5 victory over the Mavericks.

The Mavericks hit .379 as a team and boast twelve players batting .350 or higher. Designated hitter Jason Crawford (.472, 58 RBI) and third baseman Joe Dirnberger (.464, 31 2B) pace the offensive attack. Senior right-hander Jared Ferrans holds a 4.71 ERA and a 10-1 mark, while southpaw Jason Martinez is 11-4 with a 4.57 ERA. The Mavericks have won 11 of their last 14 games.

05/09/04
Chico State to compete in West Regional
The Chico State baseball team has been selected to play in the 2004 NCAA Division II West Regional to be held at Rawlings Field in Pueblo, Colorado, May 13-15.

The No. 2 seed Wildcats will take on No. 3 Mesa State in the opening game at 1:00 (pst) on Thursday. No. 1 seed and host Colorado State University-Pueblo will play No. 4 Sonoma State in the 6:00 (pst) game.

Friday schedule (all times listed as Pacific):
Game 3 - 9:00 Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (elimination game)
Game 4 - 1:00 Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Game 5 - 5:00 Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (elimination game)

Saturday schedule:
Game 6 - 11:00 Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7 - 2:00 Same participants as Game 6, if necessary

All Chico State games can be heard live on KPAY and on our Web site with Mike Baca making the call.

05/07/04
Chico State wins CCAA Championship
Brian Lucas named tournament MVP
SAN BERNARDINO – Chico State, the only California Collegiate Athletic Association team to play in all six CCAA championship baseball tournaments, captured its second CCAA title today with an 8-7 victory over Sonoma State at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.

The Wildcats, 39-19-1, won three straight games to earn the title and now await a bid on Sunday to compete in the NCAA D-II West Regional at a site to be determined. Sonoma State, 37-26, also has a shot at a regional bid.

Jonathan Shepard's seventh-inning home run to left field, his sixth of the season, proved to be the difference in the game, giving the Wildcats an 8-5 lead, which the Seawolves narrowed with solo runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

With one out in the ninth, Sonoma's C.J. Larsen tripled and came home on a sacrifice fly by Adam Rachlin. Aaron O'Dell followed with a single, however, Wildcat closer Nick Burger fanned Nate Durham-Hammer to end the game and record his 13th save.

The victory went to Wildcat reliever Robert Anaya (4-0), who relieved starter Mike Jones in the sixth. Sonoma reliever Noah Sweeters (2-3), in relief of starter Matt Means, took the loss.

Sonoma State, which lost three of four games to Chico in the regular season, jumped out to a 3-0 lead off Jones, but Chico State tied the game in the bottom of the third on a run-scoring double by Joseph Ramos, a wild pitch, and an infield groundout.

Durham-Hammer belted a solo home run in the fourth to put the Seawolves up by one, but Chico battled back again to knot the score at 4-4 when Shepard led off with a single and later scored on a infield grounder by Scott Thomson.

The Wildcats took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth with two runs. Thomson led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a balk and scored on a throwing error by the pitcher. Ryan Mathes doubled in tournament MVP Brain Lucas for a 7-5 Chico advantage.

It was another feather in the cap for Wildcat head coach Lindsay Meggs, who has guided Chico State to two national titles, four West Region titles, and six regular-season conference titles over the last 10 years.

Five Wildcats were named to the CCAA All-Tournament Team: Lucas, the MVP, pitcher Brian Kroll, second baseman Jeff Walker, outfielder Ryan Mathes, designatted hitter Ryan Wulfert, and at larger selection Jonathan Shepard.

05/04/04
Four Wildcats named to All-CCAA teams
Brian Lucas named Freshman of the Year
SAN BERNARDINO - Brandon Burgess of Sonoma State was selected as the 2004 CCAA Player of the Year and Michael Potter of UC Davis was named the 2004 CCAA Pitcher of the Year in balloting
By the conference coaches meeting in San Bernardino, site of the 2004 CCAA championship tournament.

Rex Peters of UC Davis was named Coach of the Year and Brian Lucas of Chico State was named the Freshman of the Year.

ALL-CCAA FIRST TEAM
P: Dave McKae (UC Davis)
P: Dan Barone (Sonoma State)
P: Michael Potter (UC Davis)
P: Brian Kroll (Chico State)
RP: Derrick Loop (Cal State L.A.)
C: Rafael Arroyo (Cal State L.A.)
1B: Tom Everidge (Sonoma State)
2B: Brandon Burgess (Sonoma State)
SS: A.J. Biama (San Francisco State)
3B: Marcos Ramos (Cal State San Bernardino)
AL: Aaron Rice (Cal State San Bernardino)
DH: Rich Daly (San Francisco State)
OF: Mike Miller (Cal State L.A.)
OF: Chris McAllen (Cal State San Bernardino)
OF: Nate Durham-Hammer (Sonoma State)
OF: Robby Tulk (UC Davis)

ALL-CCAA SECOND TEAM
P: Darren Sack (Sonoma State)
P: Casey Mutter (Cal State San Bernardino)
P: Joe Stemmler (Cal State San Bernardino)
P: Roberto Torres (San Francisco State)
RP: Nick Burger (Chico State)
C: Jeff Riddle (UC San Diego)
1B: Brian Lucas (Chico State)
2B: Ricky Pinocchio (UC San Diego)
SS: Keith Hernandez (UC San Diego)
3B: Matt Kamigawachi (UC Davis)
AL: Kenneth Galindo (Cal Poly Pomona)
DH: Joel Clark (UC San Diego)
OF: Zac Cort (Cal State Dominguez Hills)
OF: Adam Rachlin (Sonoma State)
OF: Travis Kaats (Grand Canyon)
OF: Carlos Medina (San Francisco State)

ALL-CCAA THIRD TEAM
P: Efren Lira (Cal Poly Pomona)
P: Jose Navarro (UC San Diego)
P: Enoc Jorrin (Cal State San Bernardino)
P: Jose Munoz (Cal Poly Pomona)
RP: Kyle Holtorf (Grand Canyon)
C: Evan Anderson (Sonoma State)
1B: Jason Louis (Cal State Stanislaus)
2B: Andy Lane (Grand Canyon)
SS: Ryan Coultas (UC Davis)
3B: Cody Johns (Grand Canyon)
AL: Ryan Bethel (Grand Canyon)
DH: Ryan Wulfert (Chico State)
OF: Hector Alaniz (Cal State Stanislaus)
OF: Brett Burton (UC San Diego)
OF: Tyler LaTorre (UC Davis)
OF: Jose Montes (Cal State Dominguez Hills)

05/06/04
'Cats bats dominant again in 11-4 win over UC San Diego
Freshman Carpenter pitches Wildcats into Friday's final
SAN BERNARDINO, CA - With its second straight convincing victory in the CCAA Championship Tournament, the Chico State baseball team advanced to Friday's final and may have wrapped up a spot in the Western Regional of the 2004 NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament.

Chico State, ranked No. 2 in the region entering the tournament, knocked off No. 5 UC San Diego 11-4 Thursday, having already dispatched of No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino 13-1 Wednesday.

The Wildcats, whose only CCAA Championship Tournament title came in 2000, will face Sonoma State Friday at noon. Because the Wildcats enter the tournament's final day unbeaten in the double-elimination format, they have two opportunities, if necessary, to claim the title.

Chico State used a 6-run fourth inning to key Thursday's victory. Jeff Walker's two-run double was the big blow. In all, the Wildcats boasted a 13-hit attack that included four doubles and Jonathan Shepard's inside the park home run. Shepard, Brian Lucas, Ryan Mathes, and Ryan Wulfert each notched two hits apiece, while six different Wildcats knocked in runs, led by Mathes's three RBIs.

Meanwhile, Wildcats freshman starter Drew Carpenter kept the explosive Tritons at bey and fired his third complete game of the season. Carpenter allowed four runs, three of them earned, on nine hits. He struck out five and walked only one to improve to 6-1 on the year.

The West Regional selections won't be made until Sunday, but Chico State's two wins and the losses of No. 4 Sonoma State, No. 5 UC San Diego, No. 7 Regis (Colorado), and No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino thus far this week bode well for the Wildcats.

CCAA Championship Tournament schedule
Wednesday, May 5
Game 1 - (4) UC San Diego 6, (1) Sonoma State 2
Game 2 - (2) Chico State 13, (3) Cal State San Bernardino 1

Thursday, May 6
Game 3 - Sonoma State 8, Cal State San Bernardino 5 (CSSB eliminated).
Game 4 - Chico State 11, UC San Diego 4
Game 5 - Sonoma State 6,. UC San Diego 2

Friday, May 7
Game 6 - Chico State vs. Sonoma State, 12 noon
Game 7 - Game 6 Participants (if necessary), 45 minutes following the end of Game 6

05/05/04
'Cats homer three times 13-1 drubbing of San Bernardino
Face upstart UC San Diego in 2nd-round matchup Thursday at 3 p.m.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA - In a power display unequaled during the regular season, the Chico State baseball team won its opening game of the CCAA Championship Tournament against host Cal State San Bernardino 13-1 on the strength of three home runs and the pitching of ace Brian Kroll. Jay Hyland, Joseph Ramos, and Brian Lucas each homered for Chico State, which hadn't hit three home runs in a game all year.

Kroll pitched seven scoreless innings before leaving with an 11-0 lead. He struck out seven, didn't issue any walks, and scattered seven hits to improve to 8-3 on the year. He has now throw 15 consecutive scoreless innings.

Chico State, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, will now take on No. 4 UC San Diego Thursday at 3 p.m. The Tritons upset top-seeded Sonoma State in Wednesday's first game. The winner of that game will be one of the tournament's two Friday finalists. The loser must turn around and play an elimination game against either Cal State San Bernardino or Sonoma State at 7 p.m.

The Wildcats, who improved to 37-19-1 and have now won nine of their last 12 road games, put the game away fairly early. After RBI-singles by Lucas and Jeff Walker in the second inning, Hyland led off the third with a solo home run to make it 3-0. The Wildcats then sent 14 batters to the plate during an eight-run uprising in the fourth. Three-run blasts by Ramos and Lucas highlighted the festivities.

Lucas finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Walker added three hits and two RBIs in four at-bats, while Ryan Mathes, Hyland, and Ryan Wulfert notched two hits apiece. Ramos matched Lucas with four RBI. Lucas, who earlier in the day was named the CCAA Freshman of the Year, saw his average jump to .383 and his hit total climb to 75 with Wednesday's effort.

05/05/04
'Cats rise to No. 2 in the West Region rankings
Take on San Bernardino tonight at 7 o'clock
CHICO - Despite stumbling to a four-game split in their regular-season series finale against Cal Poly Pomona, the Chico State baseball team jumped two spots to No. 2 in the Western Region poll Wednesday. The top four teams in the final poll, scheduled to be released Sunday, will advance to the Western Regional of the 2004 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Tournament.

All four teams in the CCAA Championship Tournament, which began Wednesday, are ranked among the region's top eight. Sonoma State is ranked No. 4, UC San Diego is No. 5, and Cal State San Bernardino is No. 8.

Meanwhile, three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams are also ranked: 1. Colorado State-Pueblo, 3. Mesa State, 7. Regis (Colorado). That conference championship tournament takes place Thursday-Saturday. Western Oregon University, No. 6, finishes out its regular season with a four-game series against Northwest Nazarene University Friday and Saturday.

Following are the Regional Rankings and the CCAA Championship Tournament schedule:

Rankings:
1. Colorado State-Pueblo 38-7-1
2. Cal State Chico 36-19-1
3. Mesa State 41-15
4. Sonoma State 35-24
5. UC San Diego 34-22
6. Western Oregon 28-22
7. Regis (Colorado) 31-16
8. Cal State San Bernardino 30-24-1

05/03/04
'Cats hope to reverse Championship Tournament trend
Also want to make statement to regional committee
CHICO - Since Lindsay Meggs took over the Chico State baseball program in 1994, the Wildcats have been a virtual Superman in the Division II college baseball world. Chico State teams have won two national titles, four regional titles, and six regular-season conference titles over the last 10 years. They boast a 29-8 record in the NCAA playoffs and an overall winning percentage of over .700. Chico State does have its kryptonite, however, and over the years, it's been the CCAA Championship Tournament.

Despite being the only team to qualify for the tournament every season since its inception in 1999 and earning the top seed three times, the Wildcats have won it just once, in 2000. They're an ordinary 10-9 in the tournament during that span, including 3-6 over the last three seasons.

Nevertheless, the Wildcats hope to solve that mystery this week in San Bernardino, host of the 2004 CCAA Championship Tournament. In the process, they could save the day for their regional playoff hopes, which are in imminent danger. The Wildcats, Regis University (Colorado), Sonoma State, Cal State San Bernardino, and Mesa State appear to be locked in a five-team battle for three playoff spots. Colorado State-Pueblo (38-7-1) has seemingly wrapped up the top seed in the west.

Chico State has a chance to help itself immediately as the No. 2-seed Wildcats face No. 3 Cal State San Bernardino in Wednesday's first round at 7 p.m. Top-seed Sonoma State takes on No. 4 UC San Diego in the tournament opener at 3 p.m. Chico State ace Brian Kroll (7-3, 3.95 ERA) is the Wildcats' likely starter. San Bernardino standout Casey Mutter (6-3, 3.54 ERA) is a possibility for the Coyotes, though he has not pitched since April 23. Joe Stemmler (4-3, 3.57 ERA) is another possibility.

The Wildcats, 36-19-1 and ranked No. 22 in the nation in the latest poll, split four games at San Bernardino this season. The Coyotes (30-24-1) have stumbled down the stretch, winning just three of their last 10 games. The winner will take on the Sonoma State-UC San Diego winner Thursday at 3 p.m. The loser will face the Sonoma State-UC San Diego loser Thursday at 11 a.m.

Every Chico State game will be broadcast live on KPAY Radio, AM 1290 and the Chico State web site.

05/02/04
Wildcats finish regular season with 6-4 victory
Earn No. 2 seed in CCAA Championship Tournament
CHICO - Ryan Wulfert banged out three hits in what was likely the last home game of his four-year career and the Chico State baseball team used a 5-run sixth inning to defeat visiting Cal Poly Pomona in the regular-season finale Sunday.

Mike Jones (8-3) pitched six-plus innings to get the win for Chico State, who wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the CCAA Championship Tournament hosted by Cal State San Bernardino May 5-7. Nick Burger entered with one out in the seventh and held Pomona scoreless to earn his 12th save.

The Broncos' season came to an end with the loss. They finished 26-25-2 overall and 19-20-1 in the CCAA. The Wildcats, ranked No. 15 in the nation and No. 4 in the Western Region entering the weekend, improved to 36-19-1 and finished the CCAA regular-season with a record of 23-15-1. That is one-half game better than Cal State San Bernardino, a 10-3 loser against Sonoma State Sunday, and one game behind the Seawolves.

As a result, in Wednesday's opening round of the CCAA Championship Tournament, top-seeded Sonoma State will take on No. 4 UC San Diego at 3 p.m. and No. 2 Chico State will face No. 3 Cal State San Bernardino at 7 p.m.

In Sunday's game, Chico State opened the scoring in the third inning when Jeff Walker led off with a single, moved to second on Joseph Ramos's sacrifice bunt, and came around to score on Ryan Mathes's single up the middle.

However, after failing to reach base in the first three frames, Cal Poly Pomona answered in the fourth. Kenny McCarthy led off with a single and came around to score on Jason's Stuck's base hit. Matt Lopez later walked with the bases loaded to plate Kenneth Galindo and give the Broncos a 2-1 advantage.

Chico State put the game away in the sixth inning with five runs. Jay Hyland opened the frame with a solo home run, his fifth of the season, to tie the game. Wulfert doubled and Lucas singled to put runners on the corners, and Wulfert gave Chico State the lead on Trevor Weedon's infield hit. After both runners moved up on a wild pitch, Ramos slapped a two-run single through the right side to make it 5-2. Ramos eventually came around to score on a wild pitch.

The Broncos tried to rally in the seventh and got a two-run triple by Kevin Falls to cut the deficit to 6-4. But Falls was thrown out after an aggressive turn around third base. Burger then got the call from the bullpen and shut down the Broncos.

05/01/04
Wildcats can't hit in clutch, drop pair to Pomona
CHICO - What a difference a day makes, indeed. Less than 24 hours after clinching a spot in the CCAA Championship Tournament and moving into prime position to earn the top seed, the Chico State baseball team lost two games to Cal Poly Pomona, 6-3 and 7-0, and any chance at the top seed Saturday.

Chico State batters went hitless in 17 at bats with runners in scoring position and fell to 35-9-1 overall and 22-15-1 in the CCAA with the loss. Cal Poly Pomona got a pair of home runs from Matt Stevens in the opener and a complete-game shutout from Jose Munoz in the nightcap to improve to 26-24-2 overall and 19-19-1 in conference action. The teams will wrap up the regular season with a single game Sunday at noon.

Chico State entered the weekend ranked No. 15 in the nation and No. 4 in the Western Region, but is now in danger of missing out on the NCAA Tournament all together. A two-run homer by Ryan Wulfert and Scott Thompson's fourth-inning RBI-grounder moved the Wildcats into a 3-3 tie with Pomona in the opener.

Little did they know, however, that would be the last run they scored Saturday. Broncos relief pitcher Chris Sotro shutout the Wildcats over the game's final four-plus innings to improve to 4-2 on the year. He surrendered just two hits and struck out four. Munoz (6-4) continued Pomona's pitching dominance in the nightcap, allowing just five hits and striking out five over seven innings of work.

Meanwhile, Pomona's offense was clicking. Stevens doubled and homered twice in his first three at-bats against Chico State starter Gilbert Hernandez (L, 5-1). Kenneth Galindo and Matt Lopez added solo homers against Wildcats reliever Salvador Camarena as the Broncos pulled away.

In the second game, Lopez went 3-for-3 while Kenny McCarthy and Jerrod Allen banged out two hits apiece for the Broncos, who also took advantage of four Chico State errors. Wildcats starter Drew Carpenter was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs on nine hits in four innings. The freshman also uncorked three wild pitches.

04/30/04
Kroll blows out Pomona on 22nd birthday
Wildcats clinch spot in CCAA Championship Tournament
CHICO - Brian Kroll fired a complete-game six-hitter on his 22nd birthday to guarantee a postseason appearance for the Chico State baseball team, which defeated visiting Cal Poly Pomona 5-1. Kroll (7-3) struck out seven, didn't issue any walks, and didn't allow a Pomona runner to reach third base after surrendering a first-inning run. In the process, the Wildcats moved into second place in the CCAA and moved into position to earn the top seed in next week's CCAA Championship Tournament. Chico State guaranteed itself a spot in the tournament field with Friday's victory.

UC Davis will finish with the best record in the CCAA, but is ineligible for postseason play because of its impending jump to Division I. Thus, the Wildcats moved a half game ahead of Cal State San Bernardino – a 9-5 loser against Sonoma State Friday – and remain percentage points ahead of Sonoma State, in what has become a thrilling three-team race for the top seed in the tournament.

Chico State, which improved to 20-4 at home, is now 35-17-1 overall and 22-13-1 in the CCAA. Cal Poly Pomona fell to 24-24-2 overall and 17-19-1 in the CCAA.

The Broncos got an outstanding complete-game effort from starter Efren Lira, who took a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning having allowed only four hits. But Lira allowed a single, a walk, and Jeff Walker's RBI-single with one out in the frame. He then hit Joseph Ramos with a pitch to load the bases, and Jonathan Shepard hit a 3-run triple to break the game open for Chico State. Shepard later came around to score the game's final run on a wild pitch.

Lira, who fell to 5-6 with the loss, surrendered five runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out six.

Cal Poly Pomona took the lead in the top of the first inning when Kenny McCarthy hit a leadoff single and came around to score on Jarrod Allen's double to right field.

The complete-game effort was the fifth of the year for Kroll and the ninth of his career. He's now in a fourth-place tie with Mike O'Sullivan (1981) for most complete-games in Chico State history.

The teams will meet in a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m., and wrap up their four-game series Sunday at noon.

04/28/04
Wildcats baseball team in battle for postseason spot
CHICO - The Chico State men's baseball team, ranked No. 15 in the nation, fell from second to fourth in the latest NCAA Western Regional rankings released Wednesday. Four teams from the west will qualify for the regionals, the winner of which advanced to the Division II College World Series.

Chico State, 34-17-1 overall and 21-13-1 in conference action, is also locked in a battle for the top seed in next week's CCAA Championship Tournament. The Wildcats, Cal State San Bernardino, and Sonoma State are separated by one-half game entering the final weekend of regular-season play.

The Wildcats, who boast the best home record in the CCAA at 19-4, play host to Cal Poly Pomona in a four-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday will feature a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., and the Wildcats and Broncos, 24-23-2, will wrap up the regular season Sunday with a single game at noon. Meanwhile, Sonoma State will host San Bernardino for a four-game set.

Cal Poly Pomona is also alive for one of the four spots in the CCAA Championship Tournament, which determines the conference champion.

Following are the western region rankings:

1. Colorado State-Pueblo 37-4-1
2. Cal State San Bernardino 29-21-1
3. Regis (Colorado) 29-14
4. Cal State Chico 34-17-1
5. Mesa State 38-14
6. Sonoma State 31-23
7. UC San Diego 30-21
8. Western Oregon 26-20

04/25/04
Chico State falls to UC San Diego
SAN DIEGO - Chico State's baseball team blew a four-run lead and eventually lost in the ninth inning to host U.C. San Diego Sunday, falling to the Tritons 8-7 in the finale of their four-game series in La Jolla.

The Wildcats led 7-3 in the seventh before the Triton's rallied, and Brian Trump doubled to knock in the winning run with one out in the ninth. Chico State (34-17-1, 21-13-1 California Collegiate Athletic Association) gave up five runs over the final three innings to the Tritons (30-21, 19-17).

Brian Lucas went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs for Chico State, and Ryan Mathes and Jeff Walker each had two hits. Mathes also had a double.

Jonathan Shepard blasted his fourth home run of the season for the Wildcats in the third. The Wildcats built a 3-0 lead in the first, aided by a Triton's error.

04/24/04
Wildcats sweep pair at UC San Diego
SAN DIEGO - Brian Lucas and Josh Levin lined back-to-back run-scoring singles in the ninth inning, and the Chico State baseball team used a two-out rally to win the opening game in a doubleheader sweep of host UC San Diego Saturday, 5-4 and 5-3.

Nick Burger earned the save with a 1-2-3 ninth in relief of winner Salvador Camarena.

Jonathon Shepard finished 3-for-5 with a double, run scored and an RBI. Jeff Mayberry also lined a pinch-hit, two-run double.

In the second game, Jay Hyland lined a two-run home run, his fourth of the season, and Joseph Ramos had a two-run single in a three-run third inning for Chico State (34-16-1, 21-12-1 California Collegiate Athletic Association).

Freshman Drew Carpenter improved to 5-0 with the win, going six innings. Burger finished it off for his second save of the day and 11th on the season.

James McCabe went 3-for-3 and Shepard, Lucas and Hyland all had two hits for the Wildcats.

04/23/04
Wildcats fall to Tritons in 10th
SAN DIEGO - UC San Diego's Keith Albrecht sent the second pitch of the 10th inning over the left-field fence for a walk-off home run that defeated No. 15 Chico State 5-4 on Friday in California Collegiate Athletic Association play at Triton Baseball Field.

Albrecht's blast came off of junior Salvador Camarena (4-5), snapping the Wildcats' four-game winning streak. Chico State starter Brian Kroll, a senior, gave up 10 hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Wildcat senior designated hitter Ryan Wulfert tied the game at 4 with a one-out homer in the eighth, his fourth, and had two hits including a triple.

Junior right fielder Brian Mathes got Chico State (32-16-1, 19-12-1 CCAA) on the board with a one-out solo homer in a three-run second inning. It was Mathes' team-leading fifth of the year.

04/19/04
Baseball team leaves Hawaii red hot with fourth straight victory
HONOLULU, HI - Jeff Walker sparked a three-run 9th inning with a single and some nifty baserunning as the Chico State baseball team broke open a 4-all tie and defeated host Hawaii Pacific 7-4 in Monday's series finale.

It was the second time in two days the Wildcats won in the final frame. Chico State, winners of four straight and six of its last seven on the road, improved to 32-15-1 after winning four-of-five in Hawaii.

Brian Lucas paced Chico's offense with three hits, while Walker and Josh Levin added two apiece. Ryan Wulfert drove in two runs and has driven in at least one run in four straight games.

Robert Anaya (3-0) collected the win in relief, retiring the only batter he faced, Kyle Stanley, with two runners on in the eighth. Nick Burger pitched a scoreless ninth to collect his ninth save, and third in the series.

Chico State jumped out to a commanding lead with a three-run first inning. Levin got things started with a one-out single. Joseph Ramos walked and then Lucas singled to load the bases for Wulfert, who was hit by a pitch to force home the first run. Ryan Mathes followed and was also hit by a pitch, and Daniel White's RBI grounder made it 3-0.

Wildcats starter Nick Bryant made the lead stand up until HPU got on the board with a three-run fourth. Hawaii Pacific then took the lead when reliever Salvador Camarena walked a batter with the bases loaded in the sixth to make it 4-3.

Nevertheless, the Wildcats tied the game in the seventh when James McCabe doubled and came around to score on Walker's RBI grounder.

After Walker singled in the ninth, he stole second, advanced third on a passed ball, and scored when HPU was called for interference. Meanwhile, Levin, who was intentionally walked, stole second on the play. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Lucas's single. Lucas came around to score on Wulfert's single to wrap up the scoring.

The Wildcats will be back in CCAA action this weekend when they travel to face UC San Diego in a crucial series. They'll return hope to wrap up the regular season with a four-game series against Cal Poly Pomona April 30-May 2.

04/18/04
'Cats sweep doubleheader in Hawaii; finally having some success on the road
HONOLULU, HI - Scott Thompson went 6-for-7 with three RBI to lift the Chico State baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of host Hawaii Pacific University Sunday. Thompson drove in the tying run and scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the Wildcats' 4-3 win in the first game. In the nightcap, starting pitcher Mike Jones's complete-game effort led the Wildcats to a 9-2 win.

Chico State, 31-15-1 overall, has now won five of its last six road games to improve to 12-11-1 away from home this season. Hawaii Pacific dropped to 23-25 with the losses.

The Wildcats rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the final frame of the opener to win in thrilling fashion. Brian Lucas doubled to start the frame and came around to score on Ryan Wulfert's double. Thomson's one-out double plated pinch runner Chris Mendonsa to tie the game 3-3. Thomson advanced to third on a passed ball, and with two out, scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-3.

Nick Burger collected his eighth save of the season with a perfect seventh inning. Salvador Camarena collected the win in relief to improve to 4-4. Freshman Drew Carpenter started the game and allowed three runs, one of them earned, in five-plus frames. He struck out three and scattered four hits.

In the nightcap, Jones (7-3) got all the run support he would need during Chico State's five-run second inning. Daniel White's 3-run homer was the big blast in the inning. Trevor Weedon's RBI-double and Thomson's run-scoring single got the Wildcats on the board first, however.

The Wildcats built their lead to 7-0 with single runs in the third and fourth innings.

The teams will wrap up their five-game series with a single game Monday before the Wildcats return to CCAA action with a four-game series at UC San Diego April 23-25.

04/17/04
Wildcats split doubleheader with HPU
HONOLULU, HI - Joseph Ramos went 3-for-3 and starting pitcher Gilbert Hernandez improved to 5-0 on the season as the Chico State baseball team salvaged a doubleheader split with a 4-3 victory in the nightcap at Hawaii Pacific University Saturday. Chico State lost the first game of a scheduled five-game series 4-3.

In the Wildcats' win, Hernandez allowed five hits in five innings of work and Nick Burger chipped in two scoreless innings to collect his seventh save of the season. Ryan Wulfert and Jeff Walker notched two hits apiece to join Ramos in leading the offense. Chico State, ranked No. 2 in the Western Region and No. 17 in the nation entering the weekend, improved to 29-15-1. Hawaii Pacific saw its record even out at 23-23.

The teams will play another doubleheader Sunday before wrapping up their series with a single game Monday.

The Wildcats, who entered the weekend just 9-10-1 on the road this season, continued to struggle away from home in Saturday's opener. Jonathan Shepard (2-for-3) was the only 'Cat to muster more than one hit, and the Wildcats committed a pair of costly errors on defense.

Brian Kroll (6-3), who allowed eight hits and three earned runs in six-plus innings of work, took the loss.

04/10/04
Wildcats win key doubleheader
SAN BERNARDINO - The Chico State baseball team struck back Saturday, after losing the first two games of the series, to sweep a doubleheader at Cal State San Bernardino, 5-4 and 11-2.

The Coyotes (25-17, 18-10 California Collegiate Athletic Association) beat Chico State (28-14-1, 19-11-1 CCAA) Thursday and Friday.

Ryan Mathes led the charge in the first game with a single, a home run and two RBIs, while Gilbert Hernandez took care of business on the mound. He pitched eight innings, allowed six hits and struck out five.

Josh Levin and Joseph Ramos each added two hits and Ramos drove in two runs and doubled.

Drew Carpenter pitched a complete game in the nightcap, striking out six and walking one.

The Wildcats collected 15 hits. Levin was 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs and Scott Thomson was 4-for-4 with a double. Mathes had three hits, and Jonathan Shepard and Jay Hyland each had two.

04/09/04
Wildcats drops second game to San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO - San Bernardino beat the Wildcats for the second straight game, 7-3. Cal State San Bernardino senior right-hander Casey Mutter shut down the Wildcats on eight hits as Chico State (26-14-1, 17-11-1 California Collegiate Athletic Association) lost its second straight to the host Coyotes.

Jay Hyland and Brian Lucas each went 2-for-4 for the Wildcats. Chris McAllen had the big blow for San Bernardino (25-15, 18-8), lining a three-run home run in the first inning.

04/08/04
Wildcats lose wild one in extra innings
SAN BERNARDINO - San Bernardino centerfielder Chris McAllen started the scoring with a grand slam in the first inning and ended the game with a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the 11th to give Cal State San Bernardino a 12-11 CCAA victory over Chico State on Thursday at Fiscalini Field.

The victory improved the Coyotes to 17-8 in the CCAA (24-15 overall) to remain in second place behind UC Davis, while the Wildcats are now 17-10-1 (26-13-1) and in the third spot.

Darren Koshko (4-1), the fourth Coyote pitcher, came out the winner because of McAllen's heroics. It was Koshko who came on in the top of the 11th with the bases full and walked in the go-ahead run after 3.2 innings of solid relief by Michael Boes.

Nick Burger (3-3), the third Wildcats pitcher, struck out six batters in 3.1 innings, but was tagged with the loss. Burger walked Rice in the bottom of the 11th after getting an 0-2 count and then McAllen blistered a line drive over the left field wall for the win.

The Coyotes roughed up Chico State starter Brian Kroll for 13 hits and nine earned runs in 5.1 innings. Kroll gave way to Robert Anaya who pitched 1.2 innings of one-hit relief to slow down the Coyotes offense.

Meanwhile, Chico State came back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game at 5-5 in the third off CSUSB starter Eric Foor on three hits and two costly Coyotes errors and a passed ball. A two-run double by Jeff Walker was the big blow of the inning.

Chico took the lead in the fourth on a Brian Lucas' second homer of the season, a solo blast to right. Lucas, batting .400 on the season, was two-for-four on the day. Josh Levin, Joseph Ramos, and James McCabe also each contributed two hits apiece to the Wildcats' total of 17 in the game

The Coyotes took the lead back at 7-6 in the bottom of the fourth on Roberts' first homer of the day. His second home run came in the sixth, a solo shot that put CSUSB up 9-6.

Then came the Chico uprising. After starter Eric Foor gave up a single and hit a batter to start off the seventh, Danny Lambaren came on in relief. An error loaded the bases and after a sacrifice fly by Lucas brought in one run, Mathes blasted a Lambaren offering over the left field wall to put Chico State ahead 10-9.

Burger was foiled in his bid for a sixth save in the bottom of the ninth as the tying run scored with two out. The inning started with a strikeout, a double by McAllen, and a fly ball to center. Pinch hitter Dorian Dixon drove in the run with a single.

04/06/04
Chico State's Ryan Wulfert named CCAA Baseball Player of the Week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Chico State designated hitter Ryan Wulfert has been named the Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Player of the Week for the week of March 29 through April 4.

Wulfert, a senior from Sacramento, led the Wildcats to a four-game sweep of Cal State Dominguez Hills (Apr. 2-4). He hit .571 (8 for 14) with a double, triple, home run, four runs scored and nine runs batted in. Wulfert’s production resulted in a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .625 on-base average.

His two-run homer sparked a come-from-behind 5-4 win in the series opener. In a 20-2 win the following day, Wulfert had an RBI triple and RBI single in the decisive 13-run third inning. He concluded the week with two hits and 2 RBI in a 10-2 win (Apr. 4).

04/04/04
Wildcats record CCAA sweep of Toros
The Chico State baseball team completed the four-game series sweep of Cal State Dominguez Hills with a 10-2 victory today at Nettleton Stadium.

With the sweep, Chico improves to 26-12-1 overall, 17-9-1 in conference play and jumps from fifth place in the CCAA standing to third place. Davis leads the conference at 21-3, but is ineligible for postseason play. San Bernardino, which was idle this weekend, is currently in second place at 16-8.

Dominguez Hills, which has now lost seven straight and 15 of its last 16, drops to 10-37 overall, 5-23 in conference.

After scoring 32 runs in yesterday’s doubleheader, the Wildcats wasted no time putting a run up on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Dominguez tied the score in the second, and were still in the game, trailing 5-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the Wildcats posted four runs in their half of the sixth to put the game out of reach. Ryan Mathes had a run-scoring double, Jonathan Shepard drove him home with a single up the middle and cleared the bases with a two-run single to left.

Jeff Walker was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Joseph Ramos and Ryan Wulfert each had two hits and two RBI and James McCabe had two hits in the game.

Chico State got a solid performance from starter Gilbert Hernandez (3-0), who gave up two runs on four hits with two strikeouts and thee walks in seven innings of work. Salvador Camarena and Nick Burger each threw a scoreless inning in relief.

Raul Claros (0-4) took the loss, allowing nine runs on nine hits in 5.2 innings of work. He struck out two and walked two.

For the series, Chico State outscored Dominguez 47-11, and had 17 extra base hits to the Toros’ six. Chico pitchers combined for a team ERA of 2.65 in the four games, compared to the Toros’ ERA of 11.57.

The Wildcats travel to San Bernardino for four games next week, Thursday-Saturday, April 8-10.

04/03/04
Wildcats win big in doubleheader sweep of Toros
CHICO - The Chico State baseball team racked up 32 runs on 32 hits to take both ends of a CCAA doubleheader against Cal State Dominguez Hills today at Nettleton Stadium. Game scores were 12-3 and 20-2.

The 20 runs in game two is the most by the Wildcats this season and was spurred by a 13-run fifth inning. The Wildcats sent 18 batters to the plate in the inning, recording nine hits and taking advantage of two Toro errors. Ryan Wulfert, Brian Lucas, and Jeff Walker each had two hits in the frame and Ryan Mathes was hit by a pitch twice.

Drew Carpenter (3-0) recorded his first complete game of the season, giving up two runs on six hits, striking out five and walking none in the seven-inning second game.

In the early game, Mike Jones (6-2) threw seven innings, giving up two runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Nick Bryant finished out the game, allowing one run on three hits in the final two innings.

All but one Wildcat batter recorded at least one hit in the doubleheader. For the day, Lucas was 6-for-9 with six RBI, Walker was 3-for-5, Levin was 3-for-6, Joseph Ramos was 4-for-9 and Wulfert was 3-for-7 with five RBI.

The Wildcats (25-12-1, 16-9-1) have now won the first three games of the series and will look for the sweep when the teams meet for the final game tomorrow at noon.

Dominguez Hills (10-36, 5-22) used eight pitchers today with no one escaping with out giving up at least one run. Gustavo Hernandez (1-4) took the loss in game one, giving up seven runs, six earned, in 4.1 innings of work. Fred Medina (1-1) lasted just 1.1 innings to start off game two, allowing four runs on three hits.

Jason Flores swung the best bat for the Toros, recording five hits in the doubleheader, three in game one. Zac Cort also had three hits in game one. Jose Montes had three hits on the day, two in the second game.

04/02/04
Wildcats rally to win in the ninth
CHICO - The Chico State baseball team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to come from behind and beat Cal State Dominguez Hills, 5-4, in the opening game of a four-game CCAA series.

The Wildcats (23-12-1, 14-9-1) trailed the entire game before pinch hitter Jay Hayland led off the ninth inning with a single. Scott Thomson laid down a sacrifice bunt and heads up base running by pinch runner James McCabe found him third base with one out. Jeff Walker plated McCabe on a base hit and advanced to third on a single by Josh Levin. Walker scored the winning run when the next batter, Joseph Ramos, hit a hard ball to the left side of the infield. The Toros tried to get Walker at the plate, but the throw was off line.

Dominguez Hills (10-34, 5-20) held a 4-0 lead through five and half innings, scoring three runs in the second on a David Leos single and a two-run double by Zac Cort. The Toros added on an unearned run in the third, as Chico State committed two of its three errors in the game to prolong the inning.

The Wildcats got on the board in the sixth inning on back-to-back homers off back-to-back pitches by Ryan Wulfert and Ryan Mathes to cut the lead to 4-3. Wulfert was 3-for-3 in the game. Levin also had three hits in the game and Thomson ended the game 2-for-3.

Brian Kroll (W, 6-2) recorded his fourth complete game in his last five outings, giving up four runs, three earned, on 13 hits, while striking out eight and walking two. The 13 hits are the most by Kroll this season and the eight strikeouts ties his season high.

Reliever James Dodson (L, 1-3) came on in the sixth inning and shutdown the Wildcats over the next two innings before Chico State exploded in the ninth.

Dominguez had four players with multiple hits, three for Ruben Salazar and two a piece for Cort, Jason Flores, and Frankie Valle.

03/29/04
Wildcats play to 9-all tie with Cal State L.A.
Cal State Los Angeles rallied from an 8-3 deficit as the 30th-ranked Golden Eagles and 23rd-ranked Chico State wrapped up a weekend series with a 9-9 tie on Sunday in Los Angeles.

The game was halted after 12 innings due to California Collegiate Athletic Association rules prohibiting an inning to start after 4:30 p.m. on Sundays in games involving out-of-region teams.

Chico State (22-12-1, 13-9-1 CCAA) took a quick 5-0 lead after three innings. The Wildcats added another run in the sixth and two in the seventh to take an 8-3 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth.

The Golden Eagles (19-11-1, 13-10-1) rallied for four runs in the eighth inning, and tied it at 8 in the ninth.

Chico State took the lead in the 10th inning with an RBI single by Brian Lucas, but the Eagles tied it again in the bottom half. Cal State L.A. finished with 20 hits off five Wildcat pitchers.

Ryan Mathes paced the Wildcats' 14-hit attack by going 4-for-5. Josh Levin and Jonathan Shepard were both 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Lucas also had two hits with a double. Joseph Ramos scored two runs and Jeff Walker had a triple.

Chico State's Robert Anaya wrapped up the game with 2 1/3 innings of three-hit, shutout baseball.

Cal State L.A.'s Derrick Loop hurled the final four innings, allowing one run on four hits.

Chico State opens a four-game home series against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

03/28/04
Wildcats Split Doubleheader
The Wildcats split a doubleheader at Cal State L.A., rallying for a 9-5 win in the first game, then allowing Cal State L.A. to come back to win the second game, 9-8.

The Wildcats were down 5-4 in the first game before tying it with a run in the sixth. They went on to score four more in the top of the eighth.

Trevor Weedon led the Wildcats with two hits and three RBIs. Brian Lucas was 3-for-5 with a double, Scott Thomson had two hits and Jonathan Shepard had a double for the Wildcats (22-12, 13-10 California Collegiate Athletic Association).

Cal State L.A. (19-11, 13-10 CCAA) reversed the rolls in the second game by scoring four runs to tie it at 8-all in the bottom of the seventh before Mateo Marquez hit the game-winning RBI single in the eighth.

Marquez, a Biggs high graduate, had six hits on the day, including a home run, double, and six RBIs.

Cody Smith and Shepard also homered for the Wildcats, and Shepard drove in four runs. Joseph Ramos and Jay Hyland each had two hits and a double, and Lucas doubled to cap the Wildcats.

Cal State L.A. combined for 23 hits on the afternoon and nine errors to the Wildcats' four.

3/27/04
Kroll takes shutout into ninth in 5-1 victory
Brian Kroll pitched a five-hitter, striking out three and allowing just one run, to lead the Chico State baseball team to a 5-1 win over host Cal State Los Angeles Friday.

Kroll (5-2) gave up a solo home run to Mike Miller in the ninth inning to lose his shutout bid. He allowed five hits, walked none and struck out four.

Jay Hyland had a two-run homer and a double for the Wildcats (21-11, 12-8 California Collegiate Athletic Association). Brian Lucas hit n run-scoring triple as Chico State took the lead with two runs in the fourth.

03/21/04
Kroll, Burger toss complete games as 'Cats sweep WOU
CHICO, CA - Starters Brian Kroll and Nick Burger put together complete-game efforts to lift the Chico State baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of visiting Western Oregon University Sunday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. Kroll scattered eight hits and walked just one batter in the Wildcats' 5-2 victory in the opener. Burger allowed just three hits and one earned run in a 10-3 victory in the series finale.

Chico State swept the four-game series to improve to 20-11. The Wildcats have won nine of their last 10 games and eight in a row at home. Western Oregon fell to 14-14 with the losses. The Wolves have lost 17 of their last 18 games at Nettleton Stadium.

Kroll's route-going performance was his second of the season and sixth of his career, tying him for seventh in Chico State history. However, the senior's day didn't begin very well. Western Oregon tagged Kroll for four hits, a walk, and a wild pitch in the game's first two innings. Butte College product Bill Powell drove home a run and later scored on a wild pitch. Kroll (4-2) settled down after that, however, and gave up just four hits the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, Chico State's offense also got to Western Oregon starter Nick Waechter (2-3) early. In fact, the Wildcats chased him from the game with a pair of runs in the first inning and three more in the second. Jonathan Shepard, Brian Lucas, Trevor Weedon, Scott Thomson, and Daniel Smith each drove in a run as Chico State built a 5-2 advantage after two frames.

Western Oregon relievers Nick Miller and Tyler French matched Kroll's effectiveness the rest of the way, combining to give up just two hits and three walks over the final six-plus innings.

Weedon finished the game 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Ramos, who went 2-for-4 and stole a pair of bases, was the only other Wildcat with multiple hits.Anthony Isabella and Jordan Ramos collected two hits apiece for Western Oregon.

Burger (3-2) also made an early cushion stand up for the Wildcats in his first complete-game outing as a Wildcat. The team's closer at the beginning of the year, Burger is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last two starts.

Chico State opened the scoring on Lucas' two-run double in the bottom of the first and never trailed in the game. Western Oregon cleanup hitter Anthony Isabella cut the lead in half with a solo home run in the Wolves' half of the second inning. But Ramos' RBI grounder and Lucas' run-scoring single stretched Chico State's lead to 4-1.

The Wildcats added single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth before tacking on three more runs in the sixth en route to the runaway victory. Travis Head, 3-1, took the loss for Western Oregon.

Lucas finished the game with three hits and three RBI. Ramos, who hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, drove in a pair of runs. Smith, James McCabe, and Thomson had two hits apiece.

03/20/04
Wildcats sweep Wolves in thrilling fashion
CHICO, CA - The first day of spring came up roses for the Chico State baseball team. Trevor Weedon doubled home Daniel White in the 10th inning to give the Wildcats a 5-4 victory that completed a doubleheader sweep against visiting Western Oregon Saturday at Nettleton Stadium. Chico State scored three runs in the eighth for a 4-2 come-from-behind victory in the opener.

The Wildcats, who improved to 18-11, have won seven of their last eight games, including six straight at home. Western Oregon, which boasted a five-game winning streak entering the day, dipped to 14-12.

The host Wildcats had to rally for both wins to the delight of 395 fans. Chico State trailed 2-1 in the opener before winning the game with three runs in the eighth. Jeff Walker and Jay Hyland notched consecutive one-out singles to spark Chico State. Joseph Ramos then singled home Walker to signal the end of the afternoon for Western Oregon starter Ben Bracelin. The winning run came around to score when Wolves second baseman Tucker Brack had the ball knocked out of his glove following Ryan Wulfert's ground ball, allowing Hyland to score. Ramos later scored on Brian Lucas' squeeze bunt.

Bracelin (3-3) took the loss for Western Oregon despite scattering eight hits over seven-plus innings of work. Mike Jones (5-2) got the win for Chico State, allowing just two runs on eight hits over eight innings. Drew Carpenter tossed a hitless ninth to collect his second save of the year.

Carpenter again figured prominently in the second game. The freshman from Vacaville tossed four scoreless innings, striking out seven in the process, to improve to 2-0 on the season. Carpenter was called into service after the Wildcats rallied for four runs in the sixth to tie the game 4-4.

Jonathan Shepard's two-run homer got the Wildcats on the board against Western Oregon ace Luke Holscher, who had recorded three shutouts, including a no-hitter, in his last four outings. Nevertheless, his day was over when the next batter, Lucas, reached on shortstop Bill Powell's error. Wolves reliever Matt Paulsen eventually walked White, who was then part of a double-steal that left runners on second and third. Pinch hitter Cody Smith doubled home both runners to knot the score.

Carpenter and Western Oregon's Brian Fadling pitched dominantly in extra innings before an error opened the door for Chico State in the 10th. White reached first when Powell dropped his pop fly and easily scored when Weedon followed with a double smashed down the left field line.

03/16/04
Chico State's Brian Kroll named CCAA Pitcher of the Week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Chico State righthander Brian Kroll has been named the Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 8-14.

Kroll, a senior from Livermore, fired a complete-game win over Cal State Stanislaus last Friday (Mar. 12) in the series opener of a four-game Wildcat sweep. He allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and no earned runs over 9 innings as Chico State prevailed, 6-1. Kroll retired the side in order three times and recorded 18 groundball outs.

03/16/04
Wildcats, Seawolves split CCAA twinbill
ROHNERT PARK - Chico State and Sonoma State split a pair of games on Tuesday afternoon to complete a four-game CCAA series, which began a month ago, but was postponed due to rain.

Sonoma pitcher Darren Sack helped the Seawolves end a three-game losing streak with a complete-game effort in a 9-4 Sonoma win in the opener. Chico State pinch hitter Jonathan Shepard blasted a three-run homer in the fifth inning to give the Wildcats a come-from-behind victory in the nightcap, 4-3.

Sonoma State got started early in the first game, scoring a pair of runs in the opening frame. SSU tacked on three more in the sixth before the Wildcats struck for a three-spot of their own in the seventh to make it 5-3. After seeing large leads disappear in the games last month against Chico, the Seawolves were able to cross the plate four more times in the eighth.

Sack improved to 4-1 on the season, allowing just five hits and striking out seven. Brian Kroll went 7.1 innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits and striking out five.

In game two, the Wildcats opened the scoring with a run in the third, but Sonoma answered back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 3-1 lead. In the fifth inning Shepard came on with one out and runners on second and third to deliver the fatal blow over the right field fence.

Nick Burger improved to 2-2, giving up three runs on seven hits and striking out six in five innings of work. Dan Barone falls to 0-2 after giving up four runs on five hits and striking out eight in the complete seven-inning effort.

Chico State managed just 10 hits in the doubleheader. Brian Lucas was the only Wildcat with multiple hits.

03/14/04
Wildcats complete four-game sweep of Warriors
CHICO - With a combined 34 hits and 21 runs, baseball fans looking for excitement got exactly what they wanted in the final game of a four-game CCAA series between Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus. Chico won the game 12-9 to complete the four-game sweep of Stanislaus.

Of the 34 hits, the one that mattered most came in the bottom of the eighth inning off the bat of Chico State's Jonathan Shepard to drive in Jeff Walker for the 9-9 tie-breaking run. The hit also allowed an insurance run to cross the plate as Stanislaus' center fielder misplayed the hard hit ball that hit the ground in front of him, but got by him allowing pinch runner James McCabe to score from first base. Brian Lucas made it 12-9 with a single to drive in Shepard.

Chico State was in control through the first six innings, leading 9-4, but the Warriors battled for three runs in the seventh thanks in part to a two-run double by Buck Simmons, who then scored on a strikeout that got away from Chico's catcher to cut the lead to 9-7.

In the eighth, Stanislaus rallied again with back-to-back singles by Josh Burnett and Cody Crossman to lead off the frame. One out later Jason Pasma produced a RBI single and with two outs Ismael Mercado came through with the game-tying hit to plate Crossman.

Crossman, Louis, and Pasma each had three hits in the game for Stanislaus. Walker led Chico State with four hits and Shepard and Lucas each had three a piece.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 15-10 overall, 10-7 in CCAA play. Stainslaus falls to 7-18-1, 3-12-1 in conference play.

Chico reliever Nick Burger (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, recording the final six outs. He gave up two hits and stuck out one. Starter Nick Bryant left the game after five innings and an 8-4 lead, but had to settle for no decision.

Each team used four pitchers in the three hour and 25 minute game. Josh Lewis (2-1) took the loss for Stanislaus, giving up the three runs in the eighth inning on three hits and the hard-luck error.

The Wildcats travel to Sonoma State on Tuesday, March 16, at 11:00 to play the two games that were rained out three weeks ago. On Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, the Wildcats host Western Oregon in two non-conference doubleheaders.

03/13/04
Chico State baseball team takes pair from Cal State Stanislaus
CHICO – The Chico State baseball team got solid pitching and took advantage of eight Cal State Stanislaus errors on the day to sweep a doubleheader from the visiting Warriors, 3-2 and 5-2, Saturday at Nettleton Stadium.Chico State improved to 14-10 overall and 9-7 in the CCAA with the victories, while Cal State Stanislaus dipped to 7-17-1 overall and 3-11-1 in the CCAA. The Wildcats will attempt to complete a four-game series sweep Sunday at noon.

Mike Jones picked up the opening-game victory for the Wildcats, giving up just one earned run in seven-plus innings of work to improve to 4-2 on the season. Meanwhile, Jeff Walker, Freddy Larios, and Ryan Mathes drove in runs for Chico State, which benefitted from seven walks and four errors in the opener. John Guenette (2-2) took the loss for the Warriors, allowing three earned runs in five frames.

In the nightcap, Wildcats reliever Salvador Camarena pitched three-plus innings of no-hit ball to improve to 3-3 on the season. Starter Drew Carpenter allowed two runs in three-plus innings of work. Offensively, Joseph Ramos paced the Wildcats with a 3-for-3 effort to run his hitting streak to six games. He, Jeff Walker, and Brian Lucas each scored and drove in one run apiece.

John Sothern (0-3) took the loss for Stanislaus, despite a giving up just six hits in six innings. Josh Burnett went 2-for-3 to lead the offense.

03/12/04
Chico wins opening game against Stanislaus
CHICO - The Chico State baseball team got an outstanding outing from starting pitcher Brian Kroll to beat Cal State Stanislaus 6-1 in the first game of a four-game CCAA series. The win snaps a six-game losing streak for the Wildcats.

Kroll (W, 3-1) recorded his first complete game of the season, giving up one unearned run on eight hits, striking out four and walking two.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Chico State took advantage of an error by the Warrior's third baseman to push across three unearned runs. Shortstop Scott Thomson blasted a triple to score Ryan Wulfert and Joseph Ramos and Jeff Walker drove in Thomson with a single of his own.

The Wildcats tagged on three more runs in the seventh. Pinch runner Colby Miller scored when the Stanislaus second baseman threw away a ball to first, that James McCabe had already beat out for an infield hit. Walker drove in the final two runs and finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI.

The Warriors scored their only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning when Ismael Mercado came around to score on a two-out error by Chico State's right fielder. Starter Chris Burke (L, 1-3) pitched six complete innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and five walks.

These same two teams meet tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 and wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday at noon.

03/07/04
Wildcat swept by Aggies
DAVIS, - UC Davis completed a four-game series sweep with an 8-5 victory over Chico State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association baseball game Sunday afternoon at Dobbins Stadium.

Chico State falls to 11-10 on the year, 6-7 in CCAA play. The win gave the Aggies a season-best 10-game winning streak and improved their record to 16-6 overall, 13-3 in conference play.

Chico State got on the board first in the top of the third as Trevor Weedon reached on a Ryan Coultas throwing error and it cost the Aggies. With two outs and runners at the corners, Joseph Ramos had an infield singled that scored Daniel White with the game's first run. On the next pitch, Jonathan Shepard lined a two-run double to left center for the 3-0 lead. All three runs were unearned as the Wildcats scored first for the fourth time in the series.

In the bottom of the frame, Davis' Matt Kamigawachi reached on an error with two outs and came around to score on David Butterworth's double to right-center. Butterworth ended the inning as he tried to stretch it into a triple and was thrown out at third on a perfect throw from the second baseman Ramos.

The Aggies cut the lead to one, 3-2 in the fifth when Kyle Irving came across on Wildcat starter Nick Burger's wild pitch. UC Davis took its first lead of the game in the sixth when Michael Jacobellis drilled a two-run triple to right-center. In the seventh the Aggies pushed three more across.

Chico cut into the lead in its half of the eight as Shepard's RBI groundout scored Ryan Mathes and then Ramos came home on a Brian Lucas sacrifice fly to center.

Chico was led by Ramos and Shepard as each player banged-out a pair of hits. Burger went 6.1 innings, giving up nine hits and seven runs as his record falls to 0-2 this season.

03/06/04
Wildcat baseball team drops two more against Aggies
CHICO, CA – UC Davis banged out 29 hits and scored 21 runs to sweep a doubleheader and run Chico State's losing streak to five games at Nettleton Stadium Saturday.

Robby Tulk drove in four runs in the opener, and six different Aggies drove in at least one run in the second game as UC Davis improved to 15-6 overall and 12-3 in the CCAA with wins of 12-3 and 9-4.

UC Davis, playing its final CCAA series against Chico State before making the move to Division I next season, has now won nine straight games. Chico State fell to 11-9 overall and 6-6 in the CCAA.

Friday, Chico State led early in both games, but struggled to manufacture runs all day. Ryan Mathes homered and drove in a pair of runs in the opener, but the Wildcats couldn't solve Davis starter Vince DeCoito, who allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings of work to improve to 4-1 on the season. Mike Jones (3-2) took the loss for Chico State, surrendering five runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

In the second game, Chico State jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but couldn't hold it. Salvador Camarena allowed the first five runners he faced to reach base in relief of Wildcat starter Robert Anaya. Camarena (2-3) gave up four runs in less than an inning of work.

UC Davis starter Travis Bearden settled down after allowing four runs in the first two innings and went the distance to improve to 1-0 on the year. He gave up five hits and struck out five.

03/05/04
Wildcat baseball team falls in Davis, 6-2
DAVIS, CA – Ryan Coultas drove in three runs and Michael Potter (3-0) tossed a complete-game six-hitter as UC Davis defeated visiting Chico State 6-2 Friday.

Brian Kroll took the loss for Chico, allowing six runs and eight hits in seven innings of play. Ryan Wulfert's home run and Ryan Mathes' two hits were the only offensive highlights for Chico State.

UC Davis' win was its seventh straight. The Aggies are now 13-6 overall and 10-3 in the CCAA. Chico State dipped to 11-7 overall and 6-4 in the CCAA.

02/29/04
Wildcats drop final game of S.F. series
SAN FRANCISCO - In the final game of the four-game conference series between the San Francisco State University baseball team and the 15th ranked Chico State Wildcats, it was the Gators prevailing 8-6 to split the four-game series.

The Gators improve to 4-4 in the CCAA and 9-8 overall while the Wildcats fall to 6-3 in the CCAA and 11-6 overall.

Chico State scored first in the second inning when Ryan Wulfert reached on an error and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Trevor Weedon.

In the third inning SFSU's Rich Daily doubled home two runs and give the Gators a 3-1 lead.

The Wildcats scored one run in the fourth inning when Ryan Mathes walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Cody Smith. SFSU then scored a run in the bottom of the fourth when Jordan Bautista drove home Marquez on a sacrifice fly to keep a 4-2 Gators lead.

Chico State scored another run in the fifth inning when Joseph Ramos reached on an error and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Wulfert. The Wildcats scored another run in the sixth inning to tie the game when Mathes walked and later scored with two outs on a throwing error by the Gators.

Chico State answered back with solo runs in the eighth and ninth innings, but couldn't overcome the deficit.

Salvador Camarena recorded the loss to fall to 2-2 as he pitched 1.2 innings in relief, striking out three, walking three, and giving up six hits and four runs.

02/28/04
Wildcats split doubleheader with Gators
SAN FRANSISCO - The Chico State Wildcats defeated the San Fransicso State Gators by a score of 12-4 on Saturday in the first game of a double header. Chico scored ten runs in the first three innings taking a commanding lead and never looking back as pitcher Mike Jones improves his record to 3-1. Jay Hyland hit his fist homerun of the season in the second inning bringing in two runs.

Daniel White and Jonathan Shepard each had three hits for the Willdcats. Joseph Ramos, Cody Smith, and Brian Lucas finished with two hits apiece.

Jones gave up three runs on five hits, while striking out six batters in his seven innings of work.

In the second game of the double header Chico State fell to the Gators' by a score of 5-2. The Wildcats got the tying run to the plate in the sixth inning, but pinch hitter Jeff Mayberry struck out, ending the Wildcats hopes for a sweep.

Nick Burger (0-1) took the loss giving up five runs on six hits in four innings. Ryan Wulfert was the only Wildcat with multiple hits in the game.

Chico State has won two of the three games played against the Gators' this weekend with the fourth game being played Sunday, February 29, 2004. Chico State's record improves to 11-5 over all and 6-2 in CCAA.

02/27/04
Kroll pitches 15th-ranked Wildcats to 3-1 victory
SAN FRANCISCO – Brian Kroll allowed just one run on five hits in eight innings of work as the Chico State baseball team defeated host San Francisco State 3-1 Friday in the first game of a four-game series. The 15th-ranked Wildcats, winners of seven of their last eight games, improved to 10-4 overall and 5-1 in the CCAA.

Kroll improved to 2-0 with the victory and held San Francisco State (7-7, 2-3 CCAA) scoreless before surrendering a solo home run to Chris Reyes in the eighth. He struck out seven and walked three. Nick Burger pitched a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.

Chico State scored first in the second inning when Brian Lucas walked with one out. He advanced to second on a single to right field by Jonathan Shepard and scored on a single to right field by Ryan Wulfert.

The Wildcats added two insurance runs in the fifth inning. Scott Thomson opened the inning with an infield single. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel White. With one out, Thomson scored on a single up the middle by Cody Smith. Smith, who now has an eight-game hitting streak, later scored on a single by Jay Hyland to give Chico State a 3-1 lead.

Hyland, who entered the contest batting just .182, and Ryan Wulfert finished with two hits apiece to lead the Chico State offense.

SFSU scored its lone run in the eighth inning when Chris Reyes (Jr, OF, San Francisco, CA/City College of San Francisco) hit a solo home run, his first of the season. The Gators’ Jon Bierly (Jr, Ventura, CA/Cal State Northridge) picked up the loss to fall to 1-3. He pitched eight innings, giving up nine hits and three runs while striking out five and walking one.

The two teams will return to action Saturday in a noon doubleheader. The series wraps up Sunday with a single game at noon.

02/25/04
Chico State baseball team moves up to No. 15
Thanks to an impressive doubleheader sweep of visiting Sonoma State, the Chico State baseball team leapt 14 spots to No. 15 in the latest Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Rankings. The Wildcats, 9-4 overall and 5-1 in the CCAA, travel to San Francisco State for a four-game series this weekend. They return home Saturday, March 6 to face rival UC Davis in a doubleheader scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

02/23/04
Chico State's Joseph Ramos named Wilson CCAA Player of the Week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Chico State second baseman Joseph Ramos has been named the Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Player of the Week for the week of February 16-22.

Ramos, a junior from San Diego, led the Wildcats to a doubleheader sweep of defending CCAA Champion Sonoma State last Saturday (Feb. 21). He hit .667 (6 for 9) with a triple, home run, 4 runs scored and 7 runs batted in. Ramos had 2 hits, 2 runs and an RBI in a 15-12 game one victory. He then went 4 for 4 with the triple and homer and drove in 6 runs as the Wildcats completed the sweep with a 13-10 seven-inning triumph.

His 2-run blast to dead center field in the bottom of the first inning reduced a 3-0 deficit to one run. Ramos’ 3-run triple highlighted a 9-run fourth inning that propelled the ‘Cats to the win.

Ramos posted a 1.222 slugging percentage and a .700 on-base percentage over the two games. He handled 7 of his 8 chances at second base.

02/21/04
Wildcats annihilate Sonoma State relievers in doubleheader sweep
CHICO, CA – The Chico State baseball team swept a doubleheader from visiting Sonoma State in thrilling fashion Saturday, battering the Seawolves' relief corps en route to come-from-behind victories of 15-12 and 13-10.

In the opener, Chico State battered five Sonoma State relievers for 11 runs in two innings to make up a 9-2 deficit. In the nightcap, the Wildcats trailed 8-3 before scoring nine runs off starter Mike Nunes and relievers Abel Romero and Greg Pease in the fourth. In the two games combined, Sonoma State relievers allowed 17 runs on 19 hits in five innings of work.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 24 in the nation entering the weekend, improved to 9-4 overall and 4-1 in the CCAA with the victories. Sonoma State, ranked No. 14 in the nation, dipped to 9-4 overall and 4-2 in the CCAA. The teams will play a doubleheader Sunday in
Rohnert Park at 11 a.m.

Freshman Brian Lucas and Joseph Ramos were two of many offensive stars for the Wildcats. Ramos finished the second game 4-for-4 with six RBI, a home run, and a triple. He finished the afternoon 6-for-11 with four runs and seven RBI. Lucas was the hero in the opener, going 4-for-6 with two runs and two RBI. He finished the day 7-for-10 at the plate.

Sal Camarena (2-1) picked up the game one win in relief for the Wildcats and Nick Burger collected his third save of the season. Robert Anaya (1-0) won the nightcap in relief.

02/19/04
Friday night game pushed back to Saturday
CHICO, CA – Friday night's scheduled single game featuring the Chico State and Sonoma State baseball teams has been rescheduled as part of a Saturday doubleheader due to sloppy field conditions.

The weekend series between two of the top teams in Division II baseball – Chico State (7-4, 2-1 CCAA) enters the weekend ranked No. 24 in the nation, and Sonoma State (9-2, 4-0) is No. 13 – will kickoff Saturday at noon at Nettleton Stadium. The teams are scheduled to play another doubleheader Sunday in Rohnert Park.

02/15/04
Rain puts damper on Wildcats' hit-fest
CHICO, CA – Only the rain could stop the Chico State baseball team's offense Sunday.

The Wildcats exploded for 17 runs in two innings before the final game of a four-game series against Grand Canyon University was called due to rain. Jonathan Shepard, Cody Smith, Joseph Ramos, and Jay Hyland all notched two hits apiece for the Wildcats. Jeff Mayberry and Ramos both hit three-run homers. But those stats will not count as the game did not go five innings.

Chico State, which took two of three games during the CCAA opening weekend for both teams, will be back in action next weekend when it hosts Sonoma State for single games Friday and Saturday and then takes on the Seawolves in doubleheader in Rohnert Park Sunday. The Wildcats finished the weekend 7-4 overall and 2-1 in the CCAA. Grand Canyon is now 5-4 overall and 1-2 in the CCAA.

02/14/04
Wildcats offense disappears in second game
CHICO, CA – The Chico State baseball team went through six Grand Canyon University pitchers en route to a 16-7 victory in the opening game of a doubleheader Saturday, but the offense disappeared during a 7-2 loss in game two.

Cody Smith blasted a three-run homer and drove in four runs, while Jonathan Shepard, Jay Hyland, and Brian Lucas knocked in two runs apiece in the opener for Chico State. The Wildcats took advantage of 10 walks and four hit batsmen to win their fourth straight game.

That streak ended later in the day, however, as Grand Canyon starter Brad Bettcher allowed just four hits and two runs in a complete-game effort. He struck out six and walked five.
George Rapp took the loss for Chico State. He threw four innings in relief of starter Gilbert Hernandez and gave up five runs on five hits.

Wildcats starter Mike Jones picked up the win in an intimidating performance. He struck out 11 batters in six innings of work while allowing three runs, two of them earned, on five hits.

Chico State is now 7-4 overall and 2-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Grand Canyon moved to 5-4 overall and 1-2 in the CCAA.

02/13/04
Wildcats sacrifice their way to victory in CCAA opener
CHICO, CA – This Friday the 13th was a nightmare for Grand Canyon University third baseman Cody Johns. His consecutive throwing errors on sacrifice bunt attempts allowed Chico State to take the lead, and the Wildcats went on to defeat the Antelopes 6-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams Friday at Nettleton Stadium.

Grand Canyon (4-3, 0-1 CCAA) committed three of its four errors over the final two innings as Chico State (6-3, 1-0 CCAA) turned a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 lead. The 22nd-ranked Wildcats have now won three straight.

Winning this type of a game – one that maybe we shouldn't have won – was a good lesson for us, said Chico State head coach Lindsay Meggs. It's good for these guys to be reminded that this is a crazy game and anything can happen.

A lot happened in the final three innings. Ryan Wulfert's pinch hit single with the bases full drove in a pair of runs to cut Chico State's deficit to 3-2 in the sixth.

In the seventh, the Wildcats got a lot of help from Grand Canyon. Scott Thomson was hit by a pitch leading off the inning. Johns then threw John Shepard's sacrifice bunt attempt wildly to first base to put two runners on base. That spelled the end of the afternoon for Grand Canyon starter Jeff Swanson, who had allowed only four hits through six-plus innings. It also spelled the end of the Antelopes' lead.

Cody Smith greeted reliever Kyle Holtorf with a perfect bunt down the third base line and Johns, forced to hurry, threw the ball away. That allowed Thomson to come all the way around to score and tie the game. Shepard advanced to third on the play and later scored on Jay Hyland's RBI-grounder to give the Wildcats a 4-3 advantage.

Chico State relievers Salvador Camarena and Nick Burger made the lead stand, tossing two-plus innings of scoreless relief.

The Wildcats tacked on a pair of insurance runs thanks to another bad Grand Canyon error in the eighth. With runners on the corners, James McCabe was asked to lay down a squeeze bunt. He whiffed on the attempt, however, and Joseph Ramos was caught in a rundown between third and home. But Grand Canyon catcher Branden Ishikawa threw the ball down the left field line, allowing Ramos to score. Brian Lucas later, who advanced to third on the play, later scored on a Thomson single to make it 6-3.

Brian Kroll started the game for Chico State and ran into some bad luck, allowing three runs in the third on only two hard-hit balls. Those hits were timely, however. Ishikawa led off the frame with a double to left-center. Brad Western's one-out infield single put runners on the corners, and Andy Lane blooped an RBI-double to right field. Brian Smith stretched Grand Canyon's lead to 3-0 with a sharp single.

That was all the damage the Antelopes could do against Kroll. The senior finished with seven strikeouts and allowed eight hits in six-plus innings of work. Camarena (1-1) picked up the win and Burger collected his second save.

02/07/04
Wildcats take pair from Concordia as Smith knocks in six
IRVINE, CA – Cody Smith knocked home six runs as the Chico State baseball team completed a doubleheader sweep with wins of 7-1 and 5-2 at Concordia Saturday in Irvine.

Smith went 3-for-4 with four RBI as Chico State won the opener. Joseph Ramos also had a fine game at the plate, banging out three hits, including a home run. He finished with three runs and a pair of RBI. Josh Levin also finished with three hits for the Wildcats.

Gilbert Martinez got the win, pitching seven strong innings. The junior transfer surrendered just three hits and one earned run. George Rapp pitched a pair of scoreless innings in relief.

Jeff Walker's RBI double and Smith's RBI single in the seventh inning gave the Wildcats some much-needed cushion in the nightcap and Chico State held on to win.

Nick Burger and Salvador Camarena pitched three-plus innings of scoreless relief for Chico State. Freshman Drew Carpenter got his first win as a Wildcat, allowing two runs, one of them earned, in three-and two-thirds innings of work. Burger collected the save.

Walker finished with two hits for the Wildcats and Chris Mendonsa got on base in three of his four trips, scoring twice and knocking in a run.

The Wildcats are back in action at home Friday afternoon when they host Grand Canyon in the CCAA opener for both teams at 2:30 p.m. The series continues with a doubleheader Saturday at noon and concludes with a single game Sunday at noon. The Wildcats, ranked No. 22 in the nation, are now 5-3 on the season.

02/06/04
Wildcats lose big to No. 6 NAIA Biola
LA MIRADA - The Chico State bats were silent as the Wildcats lost to No. 6 ranked NAIA Biola University, 14-1, on Friday afternoon.

Chico State, which has managed just two runs in its last two games, has now lost the first two games of its four-game Southern California roadtrip. The trip concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday against Concordia Unversity in Irvine.

The Wildcats only run came in the top of the ninth inning on a pinch-hit solo home run to center field off the bat of Josh Levin. Daniel White had two hits for the 'Cats.

Biola starter Reid Hamblet (W, 1-0), making his first start of the season, pitched seven strong innings for the Eagles, giving up four hits and striking out eight.

Chico starter Mike Jones (L, 1-1) struggled early giving up a run in the first, four in the second, and one in the fourth. He allowed nine hits in his four innings of work and struck out one. Reliever Nick Bryant wasn't treated much better, giving up four runs in just one-third inning, including a home run to the first batter he faced. Matthew Blanchard pitched the final 3 2/3, allowing four runs on five hits.

02/05/04
Wildcats lose in extra innings
SAN DIEGO – Chico State lead-off hitter Jonathan Shepard singled to open the game and came round to score on an error, but that was all the run production the Wildcats could manage in a 2-1, 10-inning loss to Point Loma Nazarene College on Thursday afternoon.

Chico State's Brian Kroll pitched 7 1/3 strong innings, giving up one run on six hits and striking out five. Robert Anaya finished out the eighth, retiring the only batter he faced and Salvador Camarena (L, 0-1) took over in the ninth. Camarena pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts before giving up the winning run in the tenth inning.

Point Loma's Mike Acuna led off the inning with a single, his third hit of the game, went to second on a balk, and moved to third on an intentional walk. David Parker recorded the winning hit with a RBI double to plate Acuna.

Point Loma starter Mike Ekstrom allowed five hits, one unearned run, and struck out four in his six innings of work. Ryan Hoover (W, 1-0) took over in the seventh and shut out the Wildcats, allowing no hits and striking out two. Hoover faced just one batter over the minimum, and that was a player he hit with a pitch.

Wildcat shortstop Scott Thomson was the only Chico State player to have two hits in the game. Joseph Ramos, Cody Smith, and Shepard had the other three.

Chico State faces Biola University in La Mirada on Friday and travels to Irvine for a doubleheader with Concordia University on Saturday.

02/01/04
Wildcats sweep twinbill against Oregon Tech
CHICO – Mike Jones allowed only three hits over eight innings to lead the Chico State baseball team to a 5-0 victory in the opening game and the Wildcats scored three runs in the fifth to win the nightcap 5-2 and complete a doubleheader sweep of visiting Oregon Tech Sunday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium.

Jones, a transfer from Riverside Community College, was starting his first game for the Wildcats. He didn't surrender a walk and struck out six. Roman Castanon, meanwhile, tripled, doubled, and drove in three runs to lead Chico State's offense. James McCabe knocked home the other two runs with a double and a sacrifice bunt.

In the second game, Jay Hyland broke a 2-all tie in the fifth with a run-scoring single and Jeff Mayberry drove him home with a two-run blast to give the Wildcats a 5-2 lead. Salvador Camarena, who earned the save, pitched two spotless innings in relief. Gilbert Hernandez (1-0) earned the victory, allowing six hits and two runs in five innings of work.

With the sweep, Chico State improved to 3-1 on the season, while OIT dipped to 1-3.

Behind Jones' solid performance, the Wildcats led comfortably after scoring twice in the second frame of game one. Ryan Wulfert's one-out double got things started and Castanon tripled him home. Castanon then came around to score on McCabe's bunt to make it 2-0.

The Wildcats tacked on a run in the sixth on McCabe's double that brought home Castanon, who had walked.

Chico State salted the victory away in the seventh when Castanon doubled home Wulfert and Brian Lucas.

In game two, the Wildcats again never trailed, but took some time to get rolling. They took a 1-0 advantage in the second when Joseph Ramos doubled home Lucas. Oregon Tech answered with its first run of the day, a two-out RBI single by Ryan Wilson, in the third. In the bottom half of the frame, however, Chico State retook the lead. Jonathan Shepard doubled to start the inning and came around to score on Mayberry's grounder to first base.

Again, Oregon Tech battled back, plating a lone run in the fifth on Brian Wills' solo home run. But the Wildcats were not to be denied and plated three runs in the bottom of the frame for the victory.

Ramos finished the afternoon with four hits to lead the Wildcats. Castanon banged out three hits, and along with Maryberry, drove in three runs.

01/31/04
Wildcats split opener with Oregon Tech
CHICO - After almost seven hours of baseball, the Chico State baseball team had to settle for a split of its opening-day doubleheader with Oregon Tech. The Wildcats won the first game 15-2, but lost the nightcap 7-6.

Chico State head coach Lindsay Meggs had said that the offense would be more explosive this year and the 2004 Wildcat wasted no time proving it to the 325 fans who braved the chilly weather at Nettleton Stadium.

In the opener, Chico State erupted for 15 runs on 14 hits, but it was Oregon Tech that scored first in the top of the second when Jason Mortenson plated Charlie Jensen on a single to right.

Chico answered back with two runs in the bottom of the second, courtesy of RBI-singles by Brian Lucas and Trevor Weedon. The 'Cats tagged on two more in the third on a leadoff homer by righfielder Cody Smith and an RBI-single by Jay Hyland.

Chico took a 7-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth, as the 'Cats batted through the order. Senior first baseman Ryan Wulfert had a solo homerun in the frame and the Wildcats took advantage of four walks and a hit batsman.

In the sixth, the Wildcats put the game out of reach, scoring seven unearned runs. Smith highlighted the inning with a two-out, three-run triple down the leftfield line.

Smith, a transfer from Linn-Benton in Oregon, went 2-for-4 in the game with four RBI and two runs scored. Wulfert was 2-for-4 and scored three times. Designated hitter Josh Levin went 2-for-2 with a double and Lucas had two hits, including a double, and three RBI. Hyland also had two hits in the game.

Righthanded senior Brian Kroll picked up the victory, giving up two runs on seven hits and striking out eight in six innings of work.

Brad Bailey took the loss for OIT, giving up 10 hits and six runs in four and one-third innings. Ryan Wilson had two hits, one a double, for the Hustlin' Owls and Charlie Jensen and Mortenson also had two hits apiece.

In the nightcap, Oregon Tech's Ryan Owens laid down a perfectly executed squeeze play in the top of the seventh inning to bring in Jensen to break a 6-6 tie for the win. Jensen reached base on a hit and advanced to third on a double by Kellen Stevens.

OIT's centerfielder Wilson was responsible for the Owls first five runs with a two-run homer in the first inning and a three-run blast in the fifth to tie the game at 5-5. The Owls continued to rally in the inning and managed the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the fifth, Chico strung together three hits, including a pinch-hit RBI single by Jonathan Sheppard to tie the game at 6-6, but the 'Cats couldn't manage another comeback in the seventh, although they did manage to get a runner into scoring position.

Chico State's George Rapp suffered the loss in relief, giving up one run on three hits in his two and two-thirds innings. Kevin Heim pitched the complete game for OIT, giving up the six runs on nine hits and striking out nine.

National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America
Division II Preseason Poll (Jan. 13, 2004)

1. Kennesaw State (11) 746
2. Chico State (6) 738
3. Columbus State (9) 683
4. Central Missouri 680
5. Abilene Christian (1) 647
6. Tampa (1) 604
7. Delta State 599
8. North Florida 546
9. Ashland 506
10. Florida Southern 499
11. U Mass-Lowell 420
12. Southern Arkansas 399
13. Georgia College & State 355
14. Alabama-Huntsville 351
15. Rollins 311
16. Mesa State 300
17. Dallas Baptist 277
South Carolina-Aiken 277
19. Central Oklahoma 273
20. Southern Colorado 123
21. Cal State-San Bernandino 121
22. Valdosta State 107
23. Mansfield 97
24. Grand Canyon 93
25. Northern Kentucky 83