According to the Chico Enterprise-Record, Parent was impressed with a workout Burger and Wildcat teammate Robert Anaya had recently, and in an attempt to shore up a pitching staff that is seventh of eight Golden Baseball League teams in ERA (6.03) heading into Friday's game at Surprise, Parent felt Burger could help right away.

"We looked at his numbers, he walked 10 guys all year and he's got a lot of bulldog in him," said Parent. "He's been in a lot of tough situations."

Parent said Burger likely will not be thrown into a closing role right away, but might find himself in a "set-up role, an inning here and there. He's used to going an inning or two and he's capable of going more. He might come out here and throw well enough to get a start, you never know."

Burger, an Honorable Mention All-America right-hander in 2005, finished with 15 saves, tied for the second most in school history, fanning 30 batters in just over 28 innings pitched with an ERA of 2.86. He was a Second Team All-America selection in 2004.

06/09/05
Ramos named First Team All-American
Krise, Burger Honorable Mention
Chico State third baseman Joseph Ramos has been named First Team All-American by the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association. Ramos led the Wildcats with a .380 batting average and 15 doubles. He also provided stellar defense between third and first base, boasting a .973 fielding percentage. Chico State hurlers Kris Krise and Nick Burger, meanwhile, were named Honorable Mention All-Americans by the Baseball Writers of America.

"I'm really happy to see that the coaches recognized Joe's ability," said Chico State Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. "I can't tell you how many coaches came up to me and told me how impressed they were by the improvements he's made."

Despite playing in a Chico State uniform for just two years, Ramos leaves a lasting mark on the record books. He joins Bao-nhan Vinh as the only player in school history to notch 80 hits or more in consecutive seasons. He ranks sixth in career hits with 164. His career batting average of .363 is seventh best ever. He also ranks among Chico State's career top 10 in runs scored (102), doubles (33), total bases (221), hit-by-pitches (22), and sacrifice flies (7). He's also the program's First Team All-American selection since 1999 and the seventh ever.

Burger, a Second Team All-American selection as a junior last season, actually put up better numbers this year. He finished with 15 saves, tied for the second most in school history, and sports an ERA of 2.86.He struck out 30 batters in 28-plus innings. He wraps up his career with a Chico State record 29 saves, the second most in NCAA Division II history.

Krise, chosen in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, put together a phenomenal season despite a finger injury. He finished the year 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA.

06/08/05
Krise, Gonzalez chosen in MLB Draft
Kris Krise and Greg Gonzalez, both key components to the Chico State baseball team's run to the 2005 Division II College World Series, have been chosen in the Major League Baseball Draft. Krise, a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher, was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 12th round. Gonzalez, a speedy center fielder, was chosen in the 28th round by the New York Mets.

For Krise, getting drafted is nothing new. He was drafted in the 43rd round by the Diamondbacks out of high school and in the 30th round by the Royals following his community college days. This season at Chico State, Krise went 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA despite a finger injury that lasted for much of the season and limited the pitches he could throw.

Gonzalez swiped a team-high 27 bases and hit .374 for the Wildcats. His defensive capabilities were also very attractive to the Mets.

05/30/05
Wildcats eliminated from College World Series
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Great baseball teams have become a tradition at Chico State. Unfortunately, leaving the offense back in California is becoming a bit of a tradition, too. The Wildcats were shut out for the second time in three days and fell to Florida Southern 4-0 in the first elimination game of the 2005 Division II College World Series Monday.

The Wildcats, who also went 0-2 in Montgomery in 2004 while scoring just four runs, have now dropped five consecutive CWS games. Against the 2nd-ranked Moccasins, they were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and 1-for-13 with runners on base.

“This is a humbling game,” said Chico State Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. “When you get to this stage and you don’t perform, you’ve really got no chance. I just feel like we never gave ourselves a chance.”

The Wildcats, who entered the tournament ranked No. 5 in the nation, finished the season 42-16-1.

Starting pitcher Tim Thompson gave the Wildcats a chance by allowing just one run in six-plus innings of work. Unfortunately, the team never took advantage offensively.

“We just got manhandled here offensively,” said Meggs. “Why is anybody’s guess.”

A dearth of clutch hits is one of the main reasons. That trend, which started in Saturday’s tournament-opening loss to Delta State, continued early in Monday’s game. Leadoff hitter Greg Gonzalez reached on a walk and moved to second on Jeff Walker’s sacrifice bunt, but Joseph Ramos and Cody Smith each grounded out, failing to drive the run home.

“Right now I’m just heartbroken,” said Smith. “I should have gotten some key hits.”

He wasn’t alone. Gonzalez left three runners on base, while Chad Nelson and Ryan Simpson stranded two runners apiece.

Meanwhile, Thompson was keeping the Wildcats within striking distance despite a bit of a mental error in the opening frame. With no one out and runners on the corners, Thompson fielded a comebacker and could have easily thrown at the runner breaking for home. Instead, he threw to second base to start the 1-6-3 double play, allowing the run to score. He recovered nicely, however, and after allowing one more hit in the first, did not allow another hit until the seventh inning.

“I was confident we were going to put some runs on the board and that helped me get into a groove,” said Thompson, who dipped to 9-2 with his first loss since March 12.

The Wildcats gave themselves great opportunities to tie the game or take the lead in the second, third, fifth, and seventh. Zack Height popped up a sacrifice bunt attempt with two on and none out to stifle the second-inning rally. Nelson grounded out with two runners on to end the third. Simpson struck out looking with two runners on in the fifth. And Jonathan Shepard grounded out to end the seventh, leaving Ramos on third.

“Sometimes one run can seem like 10,” said Meggs. “Today it seemed like that.”

Florida Southern finally opened up its advantage with three runs in the eighth to put the game away. The Wildcats didn’t threaten in the ninth.

The game was the last in a Wildcats uniform for seniors Walker, Gilberto Hernandez, Shepard, Ramos, Robert Anaya, Smith, Jeff Mayberry, Thompson, and Nick Burger. Ramos finished his career with news that he was named First Team All-American Monday.

Walker laid down two more sacrifice bunts to bring his season total to 22 and draw him to within one of the NCAA Division II single-season record.

“One thing I will never question about these guys is their desire,” said Meggs. “I’m proud of these guys for getting to this point. I know they expected more from themselves, but getting here for the second year in a row is a great accomplishment and they have a lot to be proud of.”

05/28/05
Wildcats shutout in opening round by defending champion Delta State
Chico State plays in an elimination game on Monday at 12:30
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - When opportunity knocked Saturday, the Chico State baseball team answered with a whimper. The Wildcats batted 3-for-15 with runners on base, managed just an infield single in eight appearances with runners in scoring position, and fell to defending champion Delta State of Mississippi in the opening round of the 2005 Division II College World Series at Riverwalk Stadium.

Kris Krise and Nick Bryant combined to pitch a very effective game, and the Wildcats played superb defense. But offensively, the team couldn’t break through.

“I was really disappointed with the way we swung the bats,” said Wildcats Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. “I was pleased with the way we pitched and played defense, but our effort at the plate didn’t give us a chance to win.”

The Wildcats, who have lost four straight CWS games dating back to 2002, will now take on Saturday night’s Florida Southern-Central Missouri State loser in an elimination game at 12:30 p.m. PST.

“We’ve just got to put this game behind us,” said Jeff Walker. “We’re good enough to run off a bunch of wins starting Monday. We’re definitely capable of a lot more than we showed today.”

Delta State starting pitcher Rusty Rayborn had a lot to do with Chico State’s problems. The right-handed sophomore scattered eight hits and didn’t walk anyone in eight innings of work to improve to 11-0 on the season.

“I thought he was very good,” said Meggs. “It would have taken a completely different approach at the plate than we took today to have a chance against him. We refused to go the other way and we swung at a lot of balls out of the strike zone. We had guys who put the ball in play three times today who never saw a strike.”

Joseph Ramos and Jonathan Shepard were the only exceptions. Ramos went 4-for-4 to secure his second straight 80-plus hit season. Shepard went 2-for-3 with a double.

Krise, meanwhile, was battling a nagging finger injury and could only throw his fastball for a strike. Still, he limited the high-scoring Statesmen offense to just three runs on nine hits in six frames. Two of those runs came in the third. South Central Region Player of the Year Craig Newton singled with one out to start the rally and moved to third on Brett Donahoo’s double to right-center field. Bert Pickard followed with a two-run double down the left-field line to make it 2-0.

The Statesmen added the game’s final run in the fourth when Gary Scott Gabbert opened the frame with a double and came around to score on Clay Smith’s ground ball through the left side.

The Wildcats had great opportunities to score in the second, fourth, fifth and ninth. In the second, Shepard doubled off the left field wall immediately after Cody Smith grounded into a double play. Chad Nelson grounded out to end the inning. In the fourth, Ryan Martin and Ramos were on first and second after consecutive one-out singles, but Smith struck out and Shepard grounded out. In the fifth, Nelson and Chad Williams singled to lead off the inning, but Trevor Weedon flew out and Greg Gonzalez grounded into an inning-ending double play. The Wildcats got the tying run to the plate in the ninth against Delta State closer Brent Leach thanks to singles by Ramos and pinch hitter Zack Height. However, Nelson grounded into a fielder’s choice for the second out, and pinch hitter Ryan Simpson popped out to second base to end the game.

For their loss, the Wildcats will be awarded with either top-ranked Central Missouri State or second-ranked Florida Southern Monday thanks to a tough bracket draw. But Meggs still believes in his team.

“In the 2002 final we lost to a team that came all the way through the loser’s bracket, so we know it can be done,” said Meggs. “I expect us to bounce back. I look forward to getting back on the field Monday.”

05/27/05
"Gonzo" makes the Wildcats go
Chico State outfielder ready for the College World Series and beyond
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Ping! In a flash, Greg Gonzalez’s hips swivel and his legs start to churn. He doesn’t have time to keep his eye on this ball. His eyes are on the 400-foot sign on the wall in the deepest part of center field still 25 yards away. He accelerates as one foot strides for an extra inch and the other digs through the turf, sending blades of grass trailing through the air behind him. Thwump! Thwump! Thwump! Now at top speed and closing in on the warning track, he looks back, stretches his glove across his body and high over his head, and watches the ball as it falls into his glove just in time for him to reach out and brace himself as he nudges the wall.

“One more reason he’s the MVP,” the crotchety old sportswriter chimes in from his regular spot in the press box overlooking Grand Junction, Colorado’s Suplizio Field. That catch was just one of many reasons Gonzalez was named the Most Valuable Player of last weekend’s NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional. Defensive gems like it are part of the reason Gonzalez has become the player to watch late this season when the Chico State baseball team takes the diamond.

He’s raised his batting average from .325 to .389 while hitting safely in 13 consecutive games. He’s scored 16 runs, driven in 13, and stolen 10 bases in the process. The team’s leadoff hitter, he was even intentionally walked twice for the first time in his career in the regional title game. In short, he’s become the team’s catalyst both offensively and defensively.

“Gonzo makes us go,” Chico State Head Coach Lindsay Meggs explained following the team’s sixth regional title in 10 years. Where he’s made the Wildcats go is a very good place in the world of Division II college baseball – Montgomery, Alabama, where the 2005 Division II College World Series is being played.

“Defensively, he covers as much or more ground as anyone I’ve ever coached,” said Wildcats Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. “Offensively, he’s a guy I love to see at the plate. We hit him third for a while this season, but I put him back in the leadoff spot because I wanted to make sure we get him to the plate as much as possible.”

The results have been spectacular. A First Team All-CCAA selection and Second Team All-West Region pick, Gonzalez leads the Wildcats in batting average, at-bats, runs, hits, sacrifice flies, and stolen bases. He’s also played 57 games without making an error and thrown out three baserunners. Every once in a while, he even flashes some surprisingly serious power. In a conference showdown with UC San Diego, the left hander took an outside fastball and drove it opposite field over the wall down the left field line for a leadoff homer.

Gonzalez can do it all. He’s accomplished all of the above despite his small stature. He’s very generously listed at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. That size has never been an issue to Gonzalez, though. He was the team’s Most Improved Player his senior year at San Francisco’s Riordan High School. At Sierra Community College, he earned the Northern California Player of the Year award by hitting .458 and leading the state with 40 stolen bases as a sophomore. After a bit of a slow start this season, he’s continued that dominance at Chico State.

Soon, he’ll find out if he’s Major League Baseball material. Next weekend, while he hopes to be playing for a national title, Gonzalez will likely be drafted in the first 20 rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft. So if you’re in Montgomery, watch closely. And if you’re tuning in on the radio, listen up. Very soon, that voice you’re hearing will say… “There goes Gonzalez back to the wall. He looks up… he leaps… and he’s gone! But it sure will be a ride to remember. And what a catch he was.

05/25/05
Wildcats face tough first-round opponent in Montgomery
There is no luck in this draw for the Chico State baseball team. In the 2005 College World Series opener, Chico State will face defending champion and third-ranked Delta State at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Statesmen are 51-8 and champions of the South Central Region.

But the fifth-ranked Wildcats have also had quite a season. Led by arguably their best pitching staff since Head Coach Lindsay Meggs' arrival in 1994, Chico State has put together a 42-14-1 campaign. The team's 2.99 ERA is its best under Meggs.

The Chico State-Delta State winner will face Saturday night's Florida Southern-Central Missouri State winner Monday at 4:30 p.m. The losers will face off Monday at 12:30 p.m.

The Wildcats are returning to Alabama after making the trip in 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, and 1997. Chico State holds a record of 13-5 in its five appearances at the College World Series.

Delta State will be making its tenth trip to the College World Series. In 2004, Coach Mike Kinnison guided the Statesmen to the program's first National Championship with a 12-8 win over Grand Valley State.

This season, they earned a chance to defend that title with a 9-1 win over the University of Central Oklahoma on Saturday, May 21 in the South Central Regional Championship game. DSU had earlier defeated West Alabama (18-4) and Abilene Christian (17-2) before the title match-up.

Delta State is led by a dominant pitching staff that sports a 3.09 ERA and has allowed five runs or fewer in 18 of the last 20 games.

In their previous nine appearances, Delta State owns a 23-17 mark in College World Series play. The Statesmen went 4-1 last season en route to the title.

05/24/05
Ramos and Burger First Team All-West Region
Gonzalez, Krise, Thompson Second Team
For the second straight season, Nick Burger has earned First Team All-West Region honors. Joseph Ramos is also a First Team Selection. Starting pitchers Kris Krise and Tim Thompson are Second Team selections, along with outfielder Greg Gonzalez.

The five Chico State choices match the program's most since 1996, when six Wildcats earned All-Region honors. Chico State boasted five choices in 1997 and 2002.

Burger, a Second Team All-American in 2004, currently ranks second in the nation with a Chico State record 15 saves. His 29 career saves also amount to a school record. He needs just two more to match the NCAA Division II career record.

Ramos has been the team's most consistent hitter all season, and his defense has gone from serviceable to spectacular at third base over the past two years. The senior junior college transfer is batting .369 with a team-high 15 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and 40 RBI. His fielding percentage of .971 is the highest on the team among players with 20 or more assists.

Krise and Thompson have each battled through injuries to put up 9-1 records. Gonzalez leads the team with a .384 batting average and 27 stolen bases.

05/21/05
Wildcats headed to Alabama again!
Beat Western Oregon 6-1 to win West Regional title
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - For the sixth time in nine years, the Chico State baseball team is headed to the NCAA Division II College World Series in Montgomery, Alabama. The Wildcats continued their dominance of the Western Region by finishing a perfect weekend with a 6-1 victory over Western Oregon University Saturday afternoon at Suplizio Field. Cody Smith hit a two-run homer, Jeff Walker went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI, and Chad Nelson went 4-for-5 to lead the Wildcats offense. Starter Kris Krise improved to 9-1 on the season, allowing just one run in six-plus innings of work.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of these guys," said Wildcats Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. "This program is unique in that it can almost be unfair to the players. You win 8-of-10 and all people want to talk about is the two you lost. These guys had a lot of ups and downs and they fought through some major injuries. But they persevered and did something that is very hard to do. They're a special group of kids."

The Wildcats, who entered the weekend ranked No. 7 in the nation, improved to 42-14-1. Western Oregon fell to 42-15 overall, with five of those losses coming in five games against the Wildcats. Chico State has now beaten the Wolves 11 straight times and 26 of the last 27 times they've met.

Chico State will open College World Series play Saturday at a time yet to be determined against the nation's top-ranked team and the defending World Series Champions, Delta State. Chico State will be playing for its third national title since 1997, and Meggs feels this team has what it takes to win it.

"This team has either pitched, played defense, or hit the ball well all season." said Meggs. "We get by when we do one of them well. We have a lot of success when we do two. And if we do all three, this team is as good as any I've coached."

Saturday, they did all three. Pitching for just the second time since April 9 due to a finger injury, Krise allowed just one run on four hits in six innings of work to improve to 9-1 on the season. Relievers Reid Horton and Nick Burger shut the Wolves down from there. The Wildcats played error-free defense and turned a pair of inning-ending double plays. Meanwhile, all but one player in the batting order contributed at least one run, one hit, or one RBI. Leadoff hitter Greg Gonzalez, the Regional MVP, set the tone by leading off the game with a single. He went on to reach base in all five of his plate appearances and notched a pair of stolen bases. He finished the tournament 6-of-10 at the plate and reached base in 10-of-14 plate appearances.

"Gonzo makes us go," said Meggs. "As he goes, our offense goes. That's a lot of responsibility to shoulder, but he's proven he's up to the task."

Gonzalez was joined on the All-Tournament team by Walker, third baseman Joseph Ramos, Nelson, and Cody Smith. Nelson led the Wildcats with eight hits over the weekend. He finished 8-for-13 with four runs, two RBI, and a number of great defensive plays.

"There's no bigger dirtbag than Chad," said Meggs. "And trust me, that's a term of endearment."

Chico State opened the scoring in the third when Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk, stole second, moved to third on Walker's sacrifice bunt, and scored on Ryan Martin's grounder. Even with two out, the Wildcats weren't done. Ramos drew a walk which Smith followed with a home run into the 20th row of bleachers beyond the left field wall to make it 3-0.

They added another run in the fourth when Weedon doubled to center field and came around to score on Walker's two-out single.

Western Oregon trimmed the lead to 4-1 in the seventh, but could have gotten much closer. A walk and a double against Krise put runners on second and third with nobody out. Horton was called in to get the Wildcats out of the jam and did, surrendering only a sacrifice fly.

Chico State salted the game away with single runs in the eighth and ninth. Nelson singled, moved to second on Chad Williams' sacrifice bunt, and scored on Walker's single through the right side in the eighth. In the ninth, Smith reached on an error, moved to third on Jonathan Shepard's base hit, and scored when Nelson singled past the shortstop.

Three outs later, the trip to Alabama was clinched and the Wildcats strengthened their reputation as one of the nation's strongest baseball programs.

"We have just been so blessed to have so many great coaches and players come through here who are willing to sacrifice personal success for team success," said Meggs. "Guys like Robert Anaya and Reid Horton could be starting pitchers in almost any other program, but they're willing to be relievers for us because they want to win. We've been fortunate to find guys who are more concerned with winning than individual accomplishments."

The accomplishment the Wildcats set out for at the beginning of the season, a World Series title, is now a possibility.

"I think we're ready," said Meggs. "I'm ready to get out there and I think our guys are too."

05/20/05
Martin, Smih power Wildcats into regional final
Play Western Oregon at 11:05 (PST) on Saturday for championship
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Ryan Martin was just looking to get on base. Cody Smith was trying to hit anything that came his way as hard as he could. They both succeeded. Smith hit a solo homer leading off the eighth inning to tie the game and Martin led off the ninth with a walkoff homer to right as the Chico State baseball team scored six times in the final three innings to rally for a thrilling 7-6 victory over top-seed and tournament host Mesa State in the winner's bracket game of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Tournament Western Regional Friday.

TheWildcats will take on the winner of Friday night's Western Oregon-Mesa State game Saturday at 11:05 with a berth in the NCAA Division II College World Series on the line.

Mesa State, ranked No. 10 in the nation, took a commanding 5-1 lead into the seventh inning. But Martin's two-run double keyed a three-run seventh to draw the Wildcats to within 5-4. Robert Anaya struck out the side in the top of the eighth to keep the momentum in Chico State's dugout. It was the first 1-2-3 inning for the WIldcats pitching staff since the third inning of last weekend's CCAA Championship Tournament finale against UC San Diego, spanning 25 innings. Smith took full advantage of that momentum by smashing Mesa State starter Mike King's final pitch of the night deep over the 16-foot wall down the left field line.

"(Graduate Assitant) Nick Nunnari slapped me on the back of the head and told me to be aggressive right before I went out there, and I realized I hadn't really been aggressive all night," said Smith. "So I geared up and was looking to hit the crap out of anything that came my way."

The Wildcats took the lead later in the inning when Greg Gonzalez singled home Chad Williams for a 6-5 lead. As quickly as Chico State grabbed the lead, Mesa State's Ben Thompson took it away. He hammered Wildcats closer Nick Burger's first pitch out of the park to knot the game at 6-all. Burger got out of the inning without further damage, however, setting up Martin's game-winning heroics.

"I was just trying to be a good leadoff hitter and get on base any way I could," said Martin. "I got an inside fastball and got great barrell on it and it went out."

Burger (1-2) got the win, but blew a save for just the second time in 17 opportunities this season and the third time in 32 career chances. He remains two saves shy of the NCAA Division II career record of 31. Fox, 2-3, took the loss.

Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI to help spark the Wildcats offense and run his hitting streak to 12 games. Every Chico State starter except catcher Trevor Weedon notched at least one hit in what was a very balanced attack. Joseph Ramos' base hit kept his 11-game hitting streak alive. Thompson paced Mesa State with a 4-for-5 effort, while Sean VanElderen went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and two RBI. But Mesa State stranded 13 runners, which came back to haunt them in the end.

"Our goal this weekend was to get everybody home. We were fairly good Thursday night, but today we weren't very good at all," said Mesa State Head Coach Chris Hanks. "One or two more timely hits and that thing's a laugher."

Instead, it turned into easily the biggest come-from-behind victory for the Wildcats in at least three years. The Wildcats are now 4-0 all-time against Mesa State, with all of those games taking place in regional tournament action.

"During one of those last few innings, I turned around and told the guys in the dugout: 'What a great game to be a part of win, lose, or draw. This has got to be one of the greatest games you guys will ever be a part of'," said Wildcats Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. "Teams that handle the pressure and emotions that go along with being part of a game like this usually win. I think that was the key for us tonight."

Saturday, Chico State will be playing for its sixth regional championship in nine years. Because the Wildcats are the only team in the field without a loss, they will have to be beaten twice to be denied that title.

05/19/05
Wildcats cruise to opening round win at NCAA Tournament West Regional
Play again on Friday at 2:30 (PST)
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The postseason apparently has no bearing on the Chico State baseball team's dominance over Western Oregon. For the fourth straight time this season, the 10th time in a row, and the 25th time in their last 26 meetings, the Wildcats got the best of Western Oregon with a 12-4 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament West Regional Thursday at Suplizio field.

Trevor Weedon went 4-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBI to lead a 16-hit attack. Jeff Walker and Chad Nelson banged out three hits apiece, and starting pitcher Tim Thompson worked his way out of trouble over and over to pitch into the seventh and earn the win.

The 7th-ranked Wildcats improved to 40-14-1 with the victory. This is the seventh time in Chico State history and the seventh time in the last 10 years the Wildcats have reached the 40-win plateau. Western Oregon, ranked 27th in the nation, is now 40-14.

Chico State will face tonight's Mesa State-New Mexico Highlands winner Friday at 2:30 p.m. PST. The winner of that game advances to Saturday's 12:05 p.m. game. In the double-elimination format, the winner of Friday afternoon's winner's bracket game must be beaten twice Saturday to lose the regional title.

Early on, it looked doubtful Thompson would last very long. The senior, who improved to 9-1 with the victory, allowed nine hits and 11 baserunners in the first five frames. But He worked his way out of every jam, stranding 10 Western Oregon baserunners, including six in scoring position. He struck out Mike McRae to end the first with runners on second and third. He struck out Jordan Ramos and got Aaron Karnofski to ground out with two runners on in the second. He struck out Karnofski with two runners on to end the fourth. And in his biggest jam of the night, the bases loaded with one out in the fifth, he struck out Matt Skundrick and Kenneth McDaniel to end the threat.

"Tim is at his best when every pitch is important," said Chico State Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. "He rises to the occasion."

So did Weedon, who entered the tournament in a 3-for-28 slump but finished the day with career-highs in hits and RBI. His infield single in the fourth helped spark a six-run fourth inning, and his grand slam broke the game open in the sixth and gave the Wildcats an 11-2 lead.

"Trevor's a real streaky guy. When he's going well, he can hit any pitch," said Meggs. "This is a nice time to see him get going."

The timing is no surprise. The Wildcats have been pointing toward the NCAA playoffs since the beginning of the season, according to Meggs.

"Our goal since the very beginning has been to get to the College World Series," said Meggs. "There's a little more energy around our team because, now that we're finally here, we feel like our season's finally starting."

After threatening in two of the first three innings, the Wildcats finally broke through against Western Oregon starter Trent Krisjanson (7-2). Jonathan Shepard reached on an error to start the rally and Cody Smith moved him to third with a double off the wall in right-center. Chad Williams singled off the pitcher's glove to to load the bases, and Nelson got the Wildcats on the board with an RBI-single through the right side. Weedon followed with an infield single that plated Smith, and that spelled the end of the day for Kristjanson. Greg Gonzalez greeted Wolves reliever Ryan Timm with a sacrifice fly that scored Williams, and Walker singled home Nelson for a 4-0 advantage. The WIldcats added two more runs in the frame when Shepard walked in a run with the bases loaded and Cody Smith was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 6-0.

Chico State added on to its lead in the fifth when Walker singled home Nelson, who led off the inning with a double off the wall.

It was the fourth straight productive at-bat for Walker, who notched sacrifice bunts in the first and third to bring his season total to a school single-season record of 19. The previous record, set by Walker in 2002, was 18. He ranks second in NCAA Division II history with 55 career sacrifice hits.

"I just try to do whatever I can to help this team win," said Walker. "Coach Meggs has been working with me on bunting since I was a freshman, so it's important that I get the job done if he asks me to."

Western Oregon finaly got on the board in the sixth when Thompson surrendered a two-run homer to Ramos. But Weedon's grand slam in the bottom-half of the inning salted the game away.

Chico State, which opens CCAA Championship Tournament play tonight, boasts a CCAA-high nine selections. Cal State San Bernardino has seven, including Player of the Year Aaron Rice. Cal Poly Pomona has seven, including Pitcher of the Year Taylor Wilding. Matthew Hopps of Cal State Dominguez Hills was named the conference Freshman of the Year.

The Coach of the Year honor was the fifth in 12 seasons for Meggs, including his third since the Wildcats joined the CCAA. Ramos, a Player of the Year candidate, has hit .457 with 19 RBI over the last month and finished the regular season with a .389 average, good for third in the CCAA. Gonzalez leads the conference with 23 stolen bases, and his .358 batting average ranks 10th. Krise boasts the top winning percentage (8-1) and ERA (1.99) in the conference. Burger leads the conference in saves with 15, the second highest total in the nation.

CCAA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Aaron Rice (1B) - Cal State San Bernardino

CCAA MOST VALUABLE PITCHER OF THE YEAR:
Taylor Wilding - Cal Poly Pomona

CCAA FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:
Matthew Hopps (1B/DH) - Cal State Dominguez Hills

CCAA COACH OF THE YEAR:
Lindsay Meggs - Chico State

ALL-CCAA FIRST TEAM
Player - School - Position
Taylor Wilding - Cal Poly Pomona - Pitcher
Kris Krise - Chico State - Pitcher
Logan Boutilier - UC San Diego - Pitcher
William Krout - Sonoma State - Pitcher
Nick Burger - Chico State - Relief Pitcher
David Morehead - UC San Diego - Catcher
Aaron Rice - Cal State San Bernardino - First Base
Matt Lopez - Cal Poly Pomona - Second Base
Kevin Falls - Cal Poly Pomona - Shortstop
Joseph Ramos - Chico State - Third Base
Matt Winkelman - Cal State L.A. - First Base
Ricky Eda - Cal State Dominguez Hills - Outfield
Greg Gonzalez - Chico State - Outfield
James Ferris - Cal State L.A. - Outfield
Matt Lawson - UC San Diego - Outfield
Billy Ermert - Cal State San Bernardino - Designated Hitter

ALL-CCAA SECOND TEAM
Player - School - Position
Eric Foor - Cal State San Bernardino - Pitcher
John Cross - Cal Poly Pomona - Pitcher
Tim Thompson - Chico State - Pitcher
Kyle Holden - Cal State San Bernardino - Pitcher
Derek Baker - Cal State San Bernardino - Relief Pitcher
Anthony Esquer - Cal Poly Pomona - Catcher
Tony Alcantar - Sonoma State - First Base
Jason Louis - Cal State Stanislaus - First Base
Jeff Walker - Chico State - Second Base
Chad Nelson - Chico State - Shortstop
Alex Gascon - UC San Diego - Third Base
Carlos Medina - San Francisco State - Outfield
Zack Pace - Sonoma State - Outfield
Mario Mancha - Cal State San Bernardino - Outfield
Mike Rossano - Cal State San Bernardino - Outfield
Casey Garrison - San Francisco State - Designated Hitter

CCAA BASEBALL HONORABLE MENTION
Joel Clark (DH) - UC San Diego
Dennis Peters (C) - Sonoma State
Ricky Pinocchio (2B) - UC San Diego
Cody Smith (OF) - Chico State
Chad Gordon (2B) - Cal State Stanislaus
Aaron Garcia (SS) - San Francisco State
Mike Bidwell (3B) - Sonoma State
Aaron O’Dell (IF) - Sonoma State
Ian Corso (1B/DH) - Cal State Dominguez Hills
Ryan Leake (P) - UC San Diego
Jarrod Allen (OF) - Cal Poly Pomona
Ryan Martin (1B) - Chico State
Marshall Beyer (P) - Cal State Stanislaus
Luis Carreras (P) - Cal Poly Pomona
Brandon Higelin (P) - Cal State L.A.
Keith Hernandez (SS) - UC San Diego

05/07/05
Wildcats wrap up regular season with doubleheader shutout of Stanislaus
Chico State to host CCAA Championship May 12-14
TURLOCK, Calif.-The Chico State baseball team finished up its regular season play in grand style, shutting out Cal State Stanislaus in both ends of a doubleheader in Turlock. Game scores were 2-0 and 4-0.

The Wildcats, who had clinched the CCAA North Division title heading into this weekend, improve to 37-12 overall and 23-11 in conference play. The Warriors drop to 23-31 overall and 17-21 in the CCAA.

In the first game, Joseph Ramos homered in the fourth inning to take the 1-0 lead. Greg Gonzalez added the insurance run, scoring Chad Williams on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Tim Thompson earned the victory, retiring the first 11 batters he faced before giving up one of only three hits he allowed in the game. Thompson struck out three and walked none, recording 12 fly outs and five ground outs. in the battle of two former Santa Barbara City College teammates to improve to 7-1 overall.

Josh Berrington (L 3-5), a teammate of Thompson's at Santa Barbara City College, took the hard-luck loss. He went the distance, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out a pair.

Stanislaus third baseman Jesus Fernandez led all hitters going 2-for-3 in the game.

In the second game, it was pretty much the same story, key hitting by the Wildcats and strong pitching to keep the Warriors off balance

Ryan Martin opened the scoring in the first with an RBI-single and Gonzalez put the score at 2-0 scoring from third on an error by the first baseman.

Jeff Walker grounded out in the third, but pushed across a run and Gonzalez added the final run on an RBI-single in the sixth that he tried to stretch into a double, but was thrown out at the plate.

Nick Bryant took the win to improve to 2-4. He struck out seven and allowed four hits in five innings. Reid Horton game on to throw the final two innings, picking up his first save of the season. Marquis Fleming suffered the loss to drop to 3-4.

Gonzalez led all batters with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate, driving in one and scoring twice.

05/06/05
Wildcats rally back from eight-run deficit to beat Stanislaus 18-13
TURLOCK, Calif.- The Chico State baseball team scored six runs in the eighth inning to cut into a generous Cal State Stanislaus lead, but the big blow came in the ninth when the Wildcats sent 12 runners to the plate and scored nine runs to come from behind and win 18-13.

The Wildcats (35-12-1, 22-11 CCAA) avenged a three-game sweep two weeks ago by the Warriors at home. The Warriors fall to 23-29, 17-19 CCAA.

In the eighth, Cody Miller started the rally with a one-out, two-run homer. The Wildcats would score four more times in the inning to cut the deficit to 11-9. Jeff walker had a run-scoring triple in the frame.

In the Warrior half of the eighth, R.J. Roach hit a two-run double down the right field line to give Stanislaus some breathing room with a 13-9 lead.

Pinch hitter Jonathan Shepard brought the Wildcats within one run in the top of the ninth with a three-run homer to make the score 13-12. Joseph Ramos knotted the game with an RBI-single and Ryan Martin drove in the go-ahead run and one more run would score on an error by the catcher. To add insult to injury, Chico State's Cody Smith hit another homer, this time a three-run shot to give the Wildcats an 18-13 lead.

The Wildcats managed 13 hits in the final two frames and outhit the Warriors 19-16 in the game. The Warriors stranded ten runners to the 'Cats eight. Smith and Jorge Araiza each had three hits for the Wildcat

Robert Anaya earned the win in relief to improve to 8-0 on the year. He pitched 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three. Jason Peters was charged with the loss in relief of Marshall Beyer to drop to 2-6 on the year. Beyer pitched the first 7 2/3 innings allowing nine runs, seven earned, on 10 hits.

The three-game set concludes with a doubleheader tomorrow to close out the regular season.

05/03/05
'Cats picked to host CCAA Championship Tournament
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – CCAA North Division Champion Chico State has been chosen to host the seventh annual CCAA Championship Baseball Tournament May 12-14. The Wildcats, ranked No. 9 in the nation and No. 2 in the Western Region, enter the final weekend of the regular season 32-12-1 overall and 21-11 in the CCAA.

Joining Chico State in the four-team tournament that will determine the 2005 CCAA Champion is Cal Poly Pomona (27-20, 23-13 CCAA). The Broncos qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2000 with a four-game series sweep at Cal State Stanislaus last weekend. Stanislaus (23-28, 17-18 CCAA) is still mathematically alive for one of the two remaining tournament berths, but trails Cal State San Bernardino (23-19, 20-15 CCAA), UC San Diego (28-19, 22-17 CCAA) and Sonoma State (24-28, 18-17 CCAA) entering the final week of play.

The double-elimination tournament will begin with the opening game at 3 p.m. Thursday. Chico State will play the evening game at 7 p.m. regardless of seeding. Pairings will be determined following the end of the regular season this weekend.

Daily ticket prices for the three-day event are $6 regular fare, and $3 for senior citizens, persons under 18 and college students with valid identification.

2005 CCAA BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Nettleton Stadium - Chico (Chico State, host)
Thursday, May 12
Game 1 - Participants To Be Determined (TBD), 3 p.m.
Game 2 - TBD at CHICO STATE, 7 p.m.

Friday, May 13
Game 3 (Elimination Game) - Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 11 a.m.
Game 4 - Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 3 p.m.
Game 5 (Elimination Game) - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser, 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 14
Game 6 - Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, 12 noon
Game 7 - Game 6 Participants (if necessary), 45 minutes following the end of Game 6

05/01/05
Walk-off home run prevents sweep by Chico
Cal State Dominguez Hills' Jose Montes hit a walk-off home run to beat the Chico State baseball team 10-9 in a CCAA game in Carson on Sunday afternoon. With one out and the bases empty, Montes lifted the first pitch he saw from Nick Burger (0-2) for the game-winning run, as the Toros (22-19, 12-23 CCAA) avoided the four-game sweep.

Chico State led 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning before Cal State Dominguez Hills scored five runs to go up 9-6. The Wildcats scored twice in the eighth inning and once in the ninth to tie the game at 9, setting up Montes' heroics.

The Wildcats (34-12-1, 21-11) got a pair of solo home runs and a double from Jonathan Shepard. Greg Gonzalez was 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, and Chad Nelson had three hits. Jeff Walker had a pair of hits for Chico State, which tallied 18 hits but stranded 10 runners.

04/30/05
Chico takes two from Dominguez Hills
The Chico State baseball team swept a doubleheader Saturday at Cal State Dominguez Hills 15-6 and 4-3, scoring 14 unearned runs in the first game.

Chad Williams had four hits to lead the Wildcats' first-game attack, and Jeff Walker, Ryan Martin and Jon Shepard each had three. Martin homered and drove in three runs, and the Wildcats (34-11-1, 21-10 CCAA) collected seven runs in the fourth inning and eight in the eighth.

Walker, Williams, Greg Gonzales and Trevor Weedon each had two RBIs. Eric Giacone pitched 1 2/3 innings for his first win and Nick Bryant earned his second save. Robert Anaya (7-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win in the second game after Jorge Araiza gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead with a two-run double in the second inning.

Gonzales had three hits and Joseph Ramos added a pair of hits, and Nick Burger pitched the seventh for the save (14).

04/29/05
Chico State rallies for a win
The Chico State baseball team scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning and Nick Burger notched his 13th save of the season as the Wildcats beat host Cal State Dominguez Hills 6-3 Friday in Carson.

Jeff Walker smacked his first home run of the year to lead off the ninth for the Wildcats (32-11-1, 19-10 CCAA), and Chad Williams hit a two-run home run to drive in Ryan Martin, who walked. Nick Bryant (2-3) pitched the eighth inning and got the win for Chico State and Burger hurled a perfect ninth to secure the win.

Chad Nelson went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for Chico State, and Jonathan Shepard and Jeff Mayberry had two hits apiece.

04/27/05
Wildcats pitching staff twirls another gem in 4-2 win
Chico State ranked No. 2 in first NCAA West Region poll
CHICO, Calif. - Four Chico State hurlers combined to allow just one earned run as the Wildcats beat NAIA #7 Biola 4-2 Wednesday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. Starter Erik Bess threw five-plus innings, allowing just one run in the process to improve to 2-1. Nick Bryant and Reid Horton got the game to the ninth for closer Nick Burger, who allowed one unearned run on one hit to pick up his 12th save. The Wildcats improved to 31-11-1 in the process.

Earlier in the day, Chico State, ranked No. 12 in the nation, learned it is ranked No. 2 in the first Western Region poll of the season. Mesa State is ranked ahead of the Wildcats, who are followed by Western Oregon and New Mexico Highlands. The top four teams in the region will earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament West Regional.

Chico State's sweep of the two-game set against Biola will no doubt help the Wildcats in their quest for one of those spots. Greg Gonzalez, Joseph Ramos, Cody Smith, and Ryan Martin each drove in a run for the Wildcats, who led 3-0 after three frames and 4-1 after the sixth. Biola did pose a slight threat in the ninth after leadoff hitter Andy Kroeker reached on right fielders Chad Williams' error. Blake Whiteman's one-out single made it 4-2 and brought the tying run to the plate. But Burger struck out Richard Fixsen and got David Mirabal to fly out to end the game.

The save was the 26th of Burger's career drawing him to within five of the NCAA Division II career saves record of 31, currently held by Jimmy Hoog of Eckerd College (1986-89).

Chico State will now hit the road for its last seven games of the regular season. They face Cal State Dominguez Hills in a four-game series beginning Friday at 2 p.m.

04/26/05
Gonzalez drives in four and Wildcats benefit from three-run error and second triple play in less than two weeks to win
CHICO, Calif. - In a season that's been dominated by pitching duels, Chico State's baseball fans were treated to a rare high-scoring affair as the Wildcats beat visiting Biola 9-8 Tuesday night. The game featured a number of intriguing story lines. Greg Gonzalez, moved into the leadoff spot, responded with a 3-for-4 night, a home run, and four RBI to spark what has been a sputtering Wildcats offense. His heroics, along with Biola's defensive struggles – right fielder Tyler Wright misplayed Ryan Martin's high fly ball to the warning track with the bases full, allowing three runs to score – and Chico State's second triple play in as many weeks, helped the Wildcats snap their three-game losing streak.

Chico State, the 12th-ranked NCAA Division II team in the nation, improved to 30-11-1. Biola, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, dipped to 38-9-1. Kevin Bixler earned the win in relief for Chico State, improving to 1-0. Sal Poti (0-1) took the loss for Biola. The teams will play a single game Wednesday at 2 p.m. to wrap up their two-game set.

Neither starter proved very effective, but Biola held a 5-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. But Biola starter Jonathan Young surrendered consecutive base hits and then walked Trevor Weedon to load the bases. Poti was called in to get the Eagles out of the jam, but Gonzalez hammered the first pitch he saw for a three-run double to left-center field to tie the game.

Biola responded in the fifth with three runs of its own, but the Eagles defense gave back the runs, plus one more, in the bottom-half of the frame. Cody Smith reached on a throwing error by shortstop David Mirabal to start the inning. After Chad Williams reached on a fielders choice, Chad Nelson and Trevor Weedon singled, with Williams scoring on Weedon's hit that extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Jeff Walker later coaxed a two-out walk to load the bases for Martin, who hit a soaring fly ball to the warning track. Wright misplayed the ball and it bounced up against the wall as all three runs came around to score, giving the Wildcats a 9-8 lead.

Bixler, Ben Buker, and Nick Burger shut out Biola from there as Burger earned his 11th save of the season.

Biola did threaten the lead against Buker in eighth. With runners on first and second and no one out, the Eagles gambled with a hit-and-run. Mirabal hit a sizzling liner that Martin dove to his right to snag. He then tagged first and threw to shortstop Chad Nelson at second for the triple play. It was Chico State's second triple play in less than two weeks. On April 15 the Wildcats turned a trifecta against Grand Canyon.

04/23/05
Stanislaus finishes first three-game series sweep by visitor to Nettleton Stadium since 1995
CHICO, Calif. - So much for the fifth-ranked Chico State baseball team cruising to the CCAA North Division title. Cal State Stanislaus became the first visiting team to sweep a three-game series at Nettleton Stadium since 1995 by winning both ends of a doubleheader 8-5 and 6-4 Saturday afternoon. The Warriors are now just two-and-a-half games behind Chico State in the race for the CCAA North crown with seven conference games to play. Chico State will travel to face Stanislaus for a three-game series to end the regular season May 6-7.

No team had scored more than five runs in a game this season at Chico State. But the Warriors accomplished that feet twice Saturday to improve to 23-24 overall and 17-14 in CCAA action. Stanislaus trails Cal State San Bernardino by one game in the race for the fourth CCAA Championship Tournament slot. The host Wildcats fell to 29-11-1 overall and 18-10 in the CCAA and hold a one-game lead over Cal Poly Pomona and UC San Diego for the best record in the conference.

Chico State was 27-3 against Cal State Stanislaus at the Nett over the past nine season. But Stanislaus matched its nine-year total in one weekend thanks to a strong effort from its bullpen. The Warriors' bullpen limited Chico State to just two runs in nine innings as the team came from behind to win both games Saturday. Jason Peters picked up his first two saves of the season in the process.

Chico State took a 4-3 lead in the opener thanks to a run-scoring single off the bat of Trevor Weedon and a two-run double by Jeff Mayberry. But Stanislaus tied the game on Jaren Livernois' RBI single and then took the lead for good in the fourth on Pete Hernandez's RBI singe. Meanwhile, Jeremy Hickman provided six-plus innings of one-run relief to earn the victory and improve to 3-2. Gilberto Hernandez (1-3) took the loss for Chico State. He lasted just three-plus innings and gave up five runs – three of them earned – on nine hits.

In the nightcap, the host Wildcats held a 3-2 advantage entering the sixth frame. Stanislaus rallied for four runs against starter Reid Horton and relievers Nick Burger and Robert Anaya, however. Burger (0-1) took the loss for his first blown save in his last 20 chances. Chris LeBouf's two-run, pinch-hit single was the key at-bat in the inning. Stanislaus starter Marquis Fleming (3-3) went five frames to earn the win.

The two lone bright spots for Chico State were Trevor Weedon, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games, and Jeff Walker, who became just the eighth Chico State player ever to record 100 RBI with his seventh-inning single in the nightcap.

Chico State is back in action at home Tuesday when it opens a two-game non-conference set against visiting Biola at 6 p.m.

04/22/05
Baseball team drops series opener to Stanislaus
CHICO, Calif. - Marshall Beyer and Jason Peters combined to surrender just two runs on seven hits as visiting Cal State Stanislaus sparked its hopes to earn a berth in the CCAA Championship Tournament with a 5-2 upset of Chico State in the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Nettleton Stadium.

The Warriors (21-24, 15-14 CCAA) are just the second sub-.500 team to beat the Wildcats at The Nett in the past two years. Chico State, which entered the weekend ranked No. 5 in the nation, dips to 29-9-1 overall and 18-8 in the CCAA.

Chico State led for much of the early going behind the pitching of starter Tim Thompson, who allowed just one run on four hits in six-plus innings. That run came in the second frame when Jason Durbin hit a one-out double, moved to third on Jeff Bellotti's base hit, and scored on Joel Salvatierra's sacrifice bunt.

But Chico State answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame thanks to RBI-doubles from Chad Nelson and Trevor Weedon.The Wildcats offense sputtered after the second, however, mustering just three more hits against Beyer and Peters.

Stanislaus took the lead for good in the seventh when Jeff Walker's error on a ground ball opened the gates. Pete Hernandez sacrificed Jason Louis to second and Jeren Livernois tripled home the tying run against Wildcats reliever Nick Bryant (1-3), who would eventually take the loss. After Stanislaus loaded the bases, pinch hitter Chris LeBouef hit a two-run single against Nick Burger to make it a 4-2 Stanislaus lead. The Warriors added an insurance run in the ninth on Durbin's RBI double to wrap up the scoring.

Peters earned the win for the Warriors to improve to 2-4. He allowed just one hit in two-plus innings of work. Cal State Stanislaus now trails Cal State San Bernardino by two games in the race for the fourth spot in the CCAA Championship Tournament.

The same teams are scheduled to play at doubleheader Saturday at noon.

04/17/05
Walker breaks record as Wildcats sweep
CHICO, Calif. - Jeff Walker broke Chico State's career hits record with an infield single in the first inning and the Wildcats completed a four-game sweep of visiting Grand Canyon with a 9-3 victory Sunday at Nettleton Stadium. Walker's hit was the 197th of his four-year career. The previous best was 196, set by Kevin Miller from 1987 to 1990.

Joseph Ramos went 4-for-5 with three RBI and Jeff Mayberry drove in a pair of runs to help make a winner out of Wildcats starter Nick Bryant (1-2). In six innings of work, Bryant allowed only two unearned runs on five hits while striking out seven. With the victory, their fifth straight, the Wildcats improved to 29-8-1. Grand Canyon fell to 22-18.

Chico State broke the game open early off Antelopes starter Josiah Zeigler, who took the loss to fall to 0-2. Ramos' RBI-single with the bases loaded staked Chico State to a 1-0 lead in the first. The Wildcats added five more runs in the second. Chad Williams, Walker, Ramos, Mayberry, and Cody Smith each drove in a run in the frame to make it 6-0. Zeigler faced the inning's first three batters before being pulled and was charged with four earned runs on five hits in one inning. Brad Bettcher was charged with the inning's other two runs.

Grand Canyon got on the board in the third as Cody Johns' double plated Andy Lane, who had reached on a fielding error. But Chico State answered with a run of its own in the bottom half of the frame when Ramos singled home Trevor Weedon. Mayberry and Weedon each knocked in a run in the sixth to wrap up Chico State's scoring.

Grand Canyon plated a run in the sixth and another in the ninth. Matt Henne's sixth-inning grounder plated Johns, and Ryan Bristow scored before Branden Ishikawa was tagged out after getting caught in a rundown with two down in the ninth.

Johns and Matt Henne led Grand Canyon with two hits apiece, and the Antelopes got some desperately needed pitching relief when Kyle Holtorf came on to pitch the final five-plus innings. He allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out three.

Chico State is back home next Friday to start a three-game series with Cal State Stanislaus at 6 p.m.

04/16/05
Pitching, defense rule the day as Wildcats sweep
Walker ties Chico State career hits record
CHICO, Calif. – For the 36th and 37th straight game this season, the Chico State pitching staff held its opponent to five runs or fewer, thanks in part to a flawless defensive effort, as the Chico State baseball team swept a doubleheader from visiting Grand Canyon Saturday afternoon. A trio of relievers shut down the visiting Antelopes over the final three frames of the opener, a 6-3 Wildcats win. Reid Horton won his third straight start in the nightcap, allowing two runs in six frames, as Chico State won 3-2. Nick Burger saved both games to bring his season total to 10.

Chico State is now 28-8-1 on the season, including 21-3 at home. The Wildcats have allowed three runs or fewer in 28 of 38 contests. Grand Canyon dropped to 22-17. The teams will wrap up their four-game series with a single game Sunday at noon.

Jeff Walker, who entered the afternoon needing two hits to become Chico State's all-time leader in hits, singled to tie the record in the fifth inning of Game One. It was the 196th hit of Walker's career, matching the totals of Kevin Miller, who played at Chico State from 1987-90. He finished the opener 1-for-3. In the second game, Walker was asked to sacrifice bunt in his first two plate appearances and finished hitless in one official at-bat.

In Saturday's opener, the pitching of starter Gilberto Hernandez and a three-run homer off the bat of Ryan Martin gave Chico State a 4-0 cushion through five innings. Hernandez, who had allowed only one hit through five frames, ran into trouble in the sixth. He eventually surrendered three runs on five hits, but earned his first win of the season. Robert Anaya and Nick Bryant combined for two-plus innings of work, and Burger struck out two in the ninth to collect his ninth save. Joseph Ramos went 3-for-4 at the plate for the Wildcats.

Sean Gallian took the loss in a complete-game effort for Grand Canyon to fall to 6-3. He allowed six runs – five of them earned – on 10 hits and a pair of walks. Craig Daniel and Brian Smith notched two hits apiece to lead the Antelopes offense.

In Game Two, Horton's scoreless innings streak ended at 24.2 innings when Daniel plated Matt Henne with a sacrifice fly with two down in the fourth inning. Ryan Bethel followed with an RBI single to draw the Antelopes to within a run at 3-2. But Horton settled down from there and Burger pitched the seventh for another save.

Jorge Araiza staked the Wildcats to a 1-0 lead when his sacrifice fly plated Cody Smith in the second frame. Greg Gonzalez notched an RBI single in the third to extend his hitting streak to nine games, and Joseph Ramos lifted a sacrifice fly to stretch the lead to 3-0. Martin doubled in the second inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

04/15/05
Triple play helps Wildcats hammer Grand Canyon 17-3
Martin hits grand slam, two-run homer, drives in seven
CHICO, Calif. – The Chico State baseball team turned a rare triple play and Ryan Martin hit two home runs and drove in seven as the Wildcats hammered visiting Grand Canyon 17-3 in the first of a four-game series Friday night at Nettleton Stadium.

Nursing a 6-2 lead with the bases loaded and no one out in the fifth inning, Wildcats starter Tim Thompson coaxed a soft liner to second baseman Jeff Walker off the bat of Grand Canyon's Andy Lane. Walker made the catch, stepped on second base to double-up Craig Daniel, and then threw to first in an effort to get Ryan Bethel. The ball hit Bethel, however, and Grand Canyon catcher Branden Ishikawa took off from third in an effort to score. Wildcats first baseman Ryan Martin quickly ran down the ball and threw home where Trevor Weedon tagged out Ishikawa to complete the Wildcats' first triple play in recent memory.

Martin, meanwhile had an even better day with the bat. He blasted a grand slam in the first inning, a two-run homer in the third, and finished with seven RBI to lead the Wildcats to their highest scoring output of the season. The seven RBI are the most by a Chico State player since March 2, 1999 when Kirk Mayer drove in seven against Simpson College. It was the first multi-homer game by a Wildcat since Steve Newson hit a pair on April 6, 2003. Weedon added a two-run shot in the sixth and Jay Hyland also drove in two runs for the Wildcats.

Chico State, ranked No. 6 in the nation, improved to 26-8-1. Grand Canyon dipped to 22-15.

Thompson earned the win for Chico State to improve to 6-1. He scattered 12 hits in eight innings, allowing three earned runs in the process. Ben Buker pitched the ninth in his first action since March 5 due to an arm injury. Scott Welch (6-5) took the loss for Grand Canyon. The Antelopes' ace had a rough night, surrendering nine earned runs on nine hits and four walks in five frames. Four Grand Canyon relievers also scuffled, giving up seven more runs on eight hits in three innings of work.

The same teams will play a doubleheader Saturday at noon and wrap up their series with a single game Sunday at noon.

04/11/05
Chico State's Reid Horton named CCAA Pitcher of the week
WALNUT CREEK -- Chico State's Reid Horton has been named the Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 4-10.

Horton, a junior from Tustin, went 2-0 against Oregon Tech and UC San Diego, allowing no runs on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 10 over 11 innings.

He increased his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 20 and has a season earned run average of 0.65 over 11 appearances.

In an 8-0 win over Oregon Tech (Apr. 5), Horton threw 6 shutout innings, surrendering just 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 8.

Five days later, Horton allowed only 2 hits, both singles, walked 2 and struck out 2 over 5 innings to earn the win in the Wildcats’ 7-1 triumph over UCSD.

04/10/05
Fifth-ranked Chico State and 17th-ranked UC San Diego split again
CHICO, Calif. - Chico State starting pitcher Reid Horton extended his scoreless streak to 20 innings and Jay Hyland belted a pinch-hit three-run homer as the Chico State baseball team salvaged a split with UC San Diego with a 7-1 victory in Sunday's nightcap. UC San Diego won the opener 5-4 on Alex Gascon's RBI-single in the seventh.

The 17th-ranked Tritons became the first team this season to earn two victories at Nettleton Stadium and improved to 22-12 overall and 16-11 in CCAA action. Chico State, ranked No. 5 in the nation entering the weekend, is now 25-8-1 overall and 18-7 in the CCAA.

Horton (2-0) has not allowed a run in his last four appearances, spanning 20 innings. Sunday he allowed just two hits, one an infield single and the other a bloop single, in five innings of work. Nevertheless, Chico State was clinging to a 1-0 lead until Hyland hit the first pitch he saw from reliever Shlomo Lipetz deep over the right-field wall for his second home run of the season and the 10th of his career. Jorge Araiza then followed Ryan Martin's single with a home run off the left field foul pole to give the Wildcats a 5-0 advantage that was never seriously threatened.

Jose Navarro (2-3) took the loss for UC San Diego. He allowed three runs and seven hits in four-plus innings of work.

As was the case Saturday, shoddy fielding cost Chico State dearly in the opener. Nursing a 4-2 lead in the sixth, Wildcats outfielders Cody Smith and Greg Gonzalez let a Brian Robinson's very catchable fly ball fall right between them for a two-run double that tied the game. Gascon gave UC San Diego the lead for good with a two-out single through the left side that plated Ricky Pinocchio. UC San Diego relievers Ryan Leake and Lipetz held Chico State scoreless over the last four innings to seal the win. Leake picked up the win to improve to 4-2, while Lipetz earned his sixth save.

Pinocchio finished 3-for-3 for UC San Diego, while Robinson and Morehead drove in two runs apiece.

Gonzalez led Chico State's offense with a 3-for-5 performance. Martin and Joseph Ramos notched two hits apiece. Wildcats starter Gilberto Hernandez gave up just two runs in five innings. Nick Bryant took the loss to fall to 0-2 despite striking out six in four frames.

Chico State is back in action at home for a four-game nonconference series with Grand Canyon beginning with a single game Friday at 6 p.m.

04/09/05
Wildcats salvage split despite committing 10 errors
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico State and UC San Diego baseball teams both entered Saturday's doubleheader ranked among the nation's top 20 thanks in large part to their strong defensive clubs. So it seemed only fitting that after the 5th-ranked Wildcats committed 10 errors and 17th-ranked UC San Diego made six that the day would end in a doubleheader split. UC San Diego won the opener 5-3 as Chico State committed eight errors, the most by a Wildcats team since 1999. Chico State won the nightcap 12-4 as UC San Diego made four errors.

Of the day's 23 runs, 14 were unearned. Ten different Chico State players committed errors. But the Wildcats earned the split thanks to Tim Thompson's six strong innings of work and clutch hitting. Thompson (5-1) scattered seven hits in six innings while striking out five. Meanwhile, Ryan Martin, Cody Smith, and Chad Williams drove in two runs apiece for the Wildcats, who hit .533 (8-for-15) with runners in scoring position.

Chico State is now 24-7-1 overall and 17-6 in CCAA action. UC San Diego is 21-11 overall and 16-9 in the CCAA. The teams will wrap up their four-game series Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.

In a matchup of two of the CCAA's top pitchers, UC San Diego's Logan Boutilier got the best of Wildcats starter Kris Krise in the opener. Boutilier allowed three runs, two of them earned, in six-plus innings of work to improve to 8-1. Krise (8-1) gave up five runs, only one of which was earned, and was saddled with his first loss of the season. Shlomo Lipetz fired two-plus scoreless innings to earn his fifth save for the Tritons.

UC San Diego led 1-0 on David Gomez's RBI-single before three Chico State errors spanning the fifth and six frames helped lead to four more Triton runs and a 5-1 UC San Diego lead. Joel Clark and Matt Lawson had run-scoring hits during the fray.

Chico State cut the advantage to 5-3 with Ryan Martin's run-scoring single in the sixth and Jeff Walker's RBI-grounder in the seventh. But Lipetz struck out Jonathan Shepard, the potential tying run, to end the game.

In the nightcap, Chico State took advantage of two UC San Diego errors to score five runs in the second inning for a 5-1 lead. Williams delivered the inning's big blow with a two-run single. Chico State added four runs in the fourth and three more in the eighth to seal the win.

04/08/05
Friday baseball postponed to Sunday
The Chico State baseball game scheduled for tonight has been postponed due to weather. No. 5 Chico State and No. 17 UC San Diego will play a doubleheader on Saturday at noon and a doubleheader on Sunday at 11:00 to complete a four-game series.

04/06/05
Wildcats win behind another standout pitching performance
CHICO, Calif. - Erik Bess allowed just one hit through six innings of work and the Chico State pitching staff held a team to three runs or fewer for the 16th straight game in a 10-1 victory over Oregon Tech Wednesday afternoon. Chico State, currently ranked 5th in the nation, has now won five straight games and 18 of its last 20. It's team ERA, meanwhile, has dropped to 2.48.

Bess (1-1) walked two and struck out four in just his second appearance of the season, both of the starts. Nick Bryant, Eric Giacone, and Nick Burger finished the game. The Hustlin' Owls only run was unearned against Giacone in the eighth. The Wildcats improved to 23-6-1 with the victory.

Starter Brad Bailey (2-3) took the loss for Oregon Tech, now 10-15. He allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in two innings of work. Four Oregon Tech errors also led to a pair of Chico State runs.

Joseph Ramos' RBI single in the first got Chico State on the board and Greg Gonzalez's run on a double-play grounder made it 2-0. The Wildcats added to their lead with three more runs in the second. Justin Jacque's RBI grounder plated Jorge Araiza, and Ramos drove home Ryan Martin and Gonzalez with a single to left field for a 5-0 advantage.

Two more runs in the third and anther in the fourth made it 8-0. Ryan Martin and Cody Smith each drove in a run, and Smith scored on a wild pitch. Jay Hyland's towering two-run homer in the seventh wrapped up the scoring for the Wildcats.

Oregon Tech plated its only run of the day when Ryan Garrett led off the inning with a single, moved all the way to third on a throwing error, and later scored on Trevor Mauch's ground ball.

Chico State is back in action at home for a four-game series with 17th-ranked UC San Diego beginning with a single game Friday at 6 p.m.

04/05/05
Fifth-ranked Chico State blanks Oregon Tech 8-0
CHICO, Calif. – Chico State starter Reid Horton and two relievers shut out visiting Oregon Tech in the first of a two-game, non-conference series at Nettleton Stadium Tuesday night. Horton struck out eight batters and scattered five hits in six innings of work to earn is first victory on the season. Kevin Bixler struck out three over the next two frames, and Eric Giacone pitched a perfect ninth.

Zack Height notched three hits and two RBI and Jorge Araiza drove in three runs for the Wildcats, who improved to 22-6-1 on the season. Oregon Tech fell to 10-14.

Casey Campbell (0-1) took the loss for the visiting Hustlin’ Owls. He allowed three runs, two of them earned, in two innings of work.

Chico State took advantage of a pair of Oregon Tech errors to plate three runs in the first. Jeff Walker led off the game with a single, and Joseph Ramos, Ryan Simpson, and Araiza eventually drove in runs in the frame.

The Wildcats plate three more runs in the third as Araiza ripped a two-run triple and later scored on Ryan Martin’s base hit. Height’s two-run double in the fourth wrapped up the scoring.

The same teams will square off Wednesday at noon. Chico State, ranked No. 5 in the nation, will get back into CCAA action this weekend when it hosts 17th-ranked UC San Diego for a four-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m.

04/02/05
Wildcats earn sweep with Smith's two-run single
Series finale Sunday at 11am
CHICO, Calif. – Cody Smith blooped a single into shallow center field with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning to plate two runs and lift the Chico State baseball team to a 3-2 victory over Cal State L.A. in the second game of a doubleheader sweep Saturday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. The Wildcats, ranked 6th in the nation entering the weekend, also won the first game 3-2.

Behind the pitching of Derrick Loop and an unearned run in the top of the seventh, Cal State L.A. was clinging to a 2-1 lead. Loop quickly retired the first two batters of the frame and the Golden Eagles were one out away from snapping their six-game losing streak. But Chico State's Jeff Walker roped a two-out triple to keep the Wildcats' hopes alive, and Loop was pulled from the game after walking Greg Gonzalez. Golden Eagles reliever Philip Springman couldn't quell the rally, walking Joseph Ramos and then surrendering Smith's game-winning hit.

Chico State improved to 21-6-1 overall and 16-5 in the CCAA with Saturday's two wins. The Wildcats have now won 14-of-15 at Nettleton Stadium this season. Cal State L.A. dropped to 8-15 overall and 5-14 in the CCAA. The same teams will wrap up their four-game set with the series finale Sunday at 11 a.m.

Smith finished the nightcap 3-for-3 with the two RBI and a double. Walker went 2-for-4. But it was the pitching of starter Gilberto Hernandez and reliever Robert Anaya that kept Chico State close. Hernandez allowed just one run and three hits in five-plus innings of work. Anaya, who earned the win to improve to 6-0, allowed one unearned run in the final two innings. Biggs product Mateo Marquez led the Cal State L.A. offense with two hits, a double, and a stolen base. Loop (1-6) scattered five hits in six-plus innings and was charged with three earned runs.

In Saturday's first game, Chad Williams knocked in what proved to be the winning run for Chico State in the fifth inning. He and Joseph Ramos had RBIs for the Wildcats, who mustered only six hits against Cal State L.A. starter Cody Wilkinson, who went the distance. Chico State starter Tim Thompson was equally effective, however, allowing just two runs, one of them earned, in seven innings of work. He improved to 4-1 with the win. Nick Bryant tossed a perfect eighth inning for Chico State, and then Nick Burger struck out two batters in a hitless ninth frame to earn his eighth save of the season. Marquez again finished 2-for-3 to pace the Cal State L.A. offense.

04/01/05
Ramos' wacky run helps Wildcats beat Cal State L.A.
CHICO, Calif. – Joseph Ramos scored one of the wildest runs in Nettleton Stadium history to tie the game, and then broke it open with a two-run single as the 6th-ranked Chico State baseball team defeated visiting Cal State L.A. Friday night, 8-3.

With Cal State L.A. leading 3-2 with two out in the fifth frame, Ramos appeared to be tagged out easily on an attempted steal of second base. Cal State L.A. assumed as much, and shortstop Joey Molina flipped the ball toward the pitcher's mound thinking the inning was over. But only at that point did the base umpire make a signal. Much to the surprise of the Cal State L.A. players who had already started jogging toward the dugout, Ramos was ruled safe. Seeing the Golden Eagles out of position, Ramos took off for third. Cal State L.A. first baseman Matt Winkelman raced to pick up the ball near the mound, but his throw to third was low and got away, allowing Ramos to come all the way around to score and tie the game.

Chico State then broke the game open with five runs in the seventh and improved to 19-6-1 overall and 14-5 in the CCAA with their 12th victory in 13 home games this season. Cal State L.A. fell to 8-13 overall and 5-12 in the CCAA.

The game marked the return to Chico State for longtime pitching coach Dave Taylor, who took over as the head coach at Cal State L.A. this season. Taylor's team seemed up for the challenge early on, building a 3-1 lead behind the pitching of starter Brandon Higelin.

But errors eventually cost Cal State L.A. the lead. Ramos then knocked Higelin out of the game with a two-run single in the seventh. The Wildcats added three more runs in the inning to put the game away. Higelin, now 3-3 took the loss. Robert Anaya (5-0) picked up the win in relief for the Wildcats.

Games two and three of the four-game series will take place Saturday. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at noon.

03/26/05
Sonoma avoids season sweep against 'Cats
ROHNERT PART - On the cusp of sweeping its season series against rival Sonoma State, the 6th-ranked Chico State baseball team dropped a 1-0 decision in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday in Rohnert Park. The Wildcats won Saturday's first game 6-2 to improve to 5-0 against the Seawolves on the season. The win was also their eighth straight against Sonoma State.

Ryan Martin clubbed a two-run homer and Chad Nelson blasted a solo shot to help make a winner out of Tim Thompson in Chico State's game one victory. Thompson (3-1) allowed just two runs, one of them earned, in six innings of work. Jeff Walker, Joseph Ramos, and Nelson, finished with two hits apiece for Chico State.

Chico State's offense was almost non-existent in the nightcap, however. Sonoma State starter Christopher Herrera limited the Wildcats to just three hits in seven shutout innings.

Making his first start at Chico State, Reid Horton matched Herrera's performance by shutting out the Seawolves through six frames. Wildcats reliever Nick Bryant (L, 0-1) issued a one-out walk to Zack Pace in the bottom of the seventh, however, and Pace stole second with two outs. Robert Anaya was brought on to face Colton Daines, who singled home the winning run.

Chico State, which has won 13 of its last 15 games, improved to 18-6-1 by taking two-of-three over the weekend. The Wildcats, 14-5 in CCAA action, moved up one spot to No. 6 in Monday's most recent national poll. Sonoma State is now 13-15 overall and 10-11 in CCAA play.

03/25/05
Wildcats win first of three over Seawolves
ROHNERT PARK, Calif.- Chico State ace Kris Krise improved his record to a perfect 8-0 this season, as the Wildcats won the opening game of a three-game series with Sonoma State, 5-3, at Seawolf Diamond.

The win improves Chico State to 17-5-1 overall and 12-4 in the CCAA. Sonoma State drops to 12-14, 9-10 conference

It didn't take the Wildcats long to strike, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning on a Ryan Martin two-run double to score Greg Gonzalez and Joseph Ramos, leaving the Seawolves playing catch up the remainder of the game.

Chico tagged on three more runs in the top of the fourth to make it 5-0 thanks to an RBI single by Chad Williams and a two-run double by Jeff Walker.

Krise (W, 8-0) proved to be nearly unhittable in his first three innings, allowing just one Seawolves' hit. In the fourth inning the Wildcats would strike again, scoring three runs on two hits but Sonoma State countered in the bottom of the inning with three runs of their own coming off a Mike Bidwell homerun. The rest of the game remained scoreless.

Martin and Gonzales each had three hits for the 'Cats and Walker ended the game with two hits.

The two teams play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m.

03/21/05
Neal Logue named CCAA Pitcher of the Week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Chico State’s Neal Logue has been named the Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 14-20.

Logue, a senior lefthander from Colorado Springs, earned his first win of the season with seven strong innings of relief pitching to lift the Wildcats to a 10-2 win over Cal State San Bernardino (Mar. 20).

He entered the game in the third inning with the bases loaded and no out and the game tied at 1-1. Logue struck out the first CSUSB hitter he faced, then threw a double-play ball to end the inning. He went on to face just two batters over the minimum through the next five innings.

He allowed one run on seven hits, walked one and struck out one over seven innings.

03/20/05
Bench, bullpen key 7th-ranked Wildcats' sweep of Cal State San Bernardino
CHICO - Chico State baseball fans have grown accustom to the formidable starting pitching and starting lineups Head Coach Lindsay Meggs has fielded since his arrival at Chico State more than 10 years ago. This season is no exception. But as the 2005 season continues, it's becoming apparent that the team's bullpen and bench are what might make this campaign a special one. That was the case Sunday afternoon as the Wildcats swept Cal State San Bernardino with wins of 10-2 and 4-3.

Neal Logue came out of the bullpen to pitch the Wildcats out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the third inning and went on to allow just one run in seven innings of relief as Chico State won the opening game. True freshman Ryan Simpson then delivered the day's biggest hit in the nightcap with a game-winning, three-run, pinch-hit double.

Chico State, which won the first game of the series 9-2 Friday night, improved to 16-5-1 overall and 11-4 in the CCAA with the series sweep. The Wildcats entered the weekend ranked No. 7 in the nation. Cal State San Bernardino fell to 12-9 overall and 9-7 in CCAA action.

With the score knotted 1-1 in the third inning of game one, Logue was called in to get the Wildcats out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs. He responded by striking out Mario Mancha and getting Rego Nieto to ground into an inning-ending double play. He followed up that effort with five straight scoreless innings before allowing one run in the ninth to collect his first win of the season.

Meanwhile, Chico State's offense exploded five runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh. With two out and two runners on, Simpson drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases. Another pinch hitter, Cody Smith, was then hit by a pitch to force home a run and give the Wildcats a 2-1 advantage. After another run scored on a passed ball, Chad Nelson tripled home Smith and Simpson. Nelson eventually scored on another passed ball to give Chico State a 6-1 cushion. Joseph Ramos's two-run triple keyed the four-run seventh and the Wildcats won with ease. Ramos finished the game 3-for-4 with a pair of triples.

Abel Casenova went 3-for-4 to pace the Coyotes offense. Starter Eric Foor (3-2) took the loss. He surrendered three runs, two of them earned, and four hits in five-plus frames.

In the nightcap, Wildcats starter Gilberto Hernandez kept them close by allowing three runs, two of them earned, on five hits, in five innings of work. But Chico State was scuffling against San Bernardino starter James Sinkes and trailed 3-0 entering the bottom of the fifth.

That's when Chico State's offense finally broke through. Chad Williams led off the inning with a bunt single, Jeff Walker followed with a single to center field, and Greg Gonzalez walked to load the bases. When San Bernardino brought in lefty Rylan Hanks out of the bullpen, Smith pinch hit and was hit by a pitch to force home a run. Simpson was then called upon to pinch hit, and he responded by blasting a shot to the warning track that gave Chico State the lead for good. Simpson is now 6-fo-9 on the season with 10 RBI.

Robert Anaya (4-0) earned the win in relief by tossing one scoreless inning and striking out a pair. Nick Burger collected his sixth save of the season by tossing a perfect seventh.

Hanks (0-1) took the loss for Cal State San Bernardino. Aaron Rice's two-run homer in the fifth was the lone offensive highlight for the Coyotes.

03/12/05
Wildcats split doubleheader with San Francisco State
Win six-game season series 4-2
CHICO - The Chico State baseball team split a doubleheader with the San Francisco State Gators, losing game one 3-1, and winning the nightcap 8-1.

In the opener, the game was scoreless through six innings before the Gators struck in the top of the seventh. AJ Biama blasted a two-out, two-run single to bring in Aaron Garcia, who led off the frame with a single and Christopher Watters, who reached on an intentional walk.

San Francisco (7-16, 3-10 CCAA) tagged on a solo run in the eighth when Bryan Moore led off the inning with a triple and Andreas Madsen drove him in with a single.

The Wildcats (13-5-1, 8-4 CAA) avoided the shutout with a solo run in the eighth on a two-out RBI-triple by Jonathan Shepard.

Gator starter Chris Brown (W, 2-2) went the distance, giving up one run on six hits and striking out four.

Tim Thompson (L, 2-1) recorded the loss, allowing all three runs on four hits with five strikeouts.

In game two, Chico State rallied for four runs in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-run single by Ryan Martin that was missed played by the Gators right fielder and allowed two more runs to cross the plate.

Chico added solo runs in three of the next four innings. Greg Gonzales drove in the run in the second on a sacrifice fly and the run in the fourth on a base hit up the middle.

Starter Nick Bryant left the game after three scoreless innings with an injury and Robert Anaya (W, 3-0) came on to pick up the win. Anaya pitched three innings, giving up one run on two hits.

Drew Bernier (L, 0-1) took the loss for San Francisco State.

03/11/05
Wildcats runs win streak to seven straight
CHICO, Calif. - Junior Kris Krise earned his sixth consecutive victory, and Cody Smith continued his torrid hitting of late in leading the Chico State Wildcats to a 6-3 win over visiting San Francisco State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association baseball game played Friday night at Nettleton Stadium.

Krise didn't have his best stuff, but it was good enough to run his record to 6-0 on the year. He allowed five hits and two earned runs over six innings of work, walking two and striking out two.

The Wildcats jumped on Gator starter Roberto Torres for a pair of runs in the first inning on a leadoff double by Greg Gonzalez, a run-scoring single by Smith and a RBI double from Joseph Ramos.

The Gators cut the lead in half with a run in the second, then tied things up at 2-2 with an unearned run in the fourth. San Francisco State took its first lead with a run in the fifth on a walk, a single and a sacrifice fly by Carlos Medina. But Chico came back with two of their own in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by Smith's RBI double down the right field line.

Neal Logue pitched a perfect three innings of relief, striking out four to earn his first save of the season.

The Wildcats and Gators will conclude their three game series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon.

03/06/05
Wildcats sweep three-game series from Seawolves
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico State baseball team held off Sonoma State in the ninth inning to record a 4-3 win and a three-game series sweep of the visiting Seawolves this afternoon in Nettleton Stadium.

The win was the Wildcats' sixth straight, all at home, and improves their record to 11-4-1 overall, 6-3 in CCAA play. Sonoma evens its record at 10-10 overall, 7-6 in conference.

The Wildcats took a 4-2 lead into the final inning, but Sonoma second baseman greeted Chico closer Nick Burger with a lead-off homer to cut into the deficit. Burger recorded the next two outs then gave up a hit to Zack Pace before recording the final out of the game on a grounder to third, to pick up his team-high fifth save.

Chico put three runs on the board in the bottom of the third on five hits, including four-straight two-out singles. Jeff Walker, Cody Smith, and Joseph Ramos each drove in a run. Smith and Ramos each had three hits in the game.

The Wildcats added another run in the fourth on a lead-off double by right fielder Chad Williams who came around to score on a one-out hit by catcher Trevor Weedon.

Sonoma did all its scoring courtesy of the long ball. In the top of the fifth, Mike Bidwell hit a two-run homer to left field to bring in Pace, who lead off the inning with a walk, and cut the lead to 4-2. Bidwell and Colton Daines each had three hits for the Seawolves.

Starter Tim Thompson (W 2-0) picked up the win, giving up two runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings. He struck out one and walked two.

Zach Blatteis (L 1-1) gave up four runs on eight hits in three innings of work. William Krout came on to pitch five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and recording two strikeouts.

03/05/05
Power surge lifts Wildcats to sweep of Seawolves
CHICO, Calif. – Joseph Ramos, Chad Nelson, and Cody Smith all homered as the Chico State baseball team swept visiting Sonoma State with wins of 8-4 and 6-3 Saturday at Nettleton Stadium. A crowd of 1,581 watched the Wildcats, who had homered just twice in their first 13 games this season, more-than double that output.

Sonoma State, on the other hand, had homered 21 times entering Saturday's action. But four Chico State pitchers limited the Seawolves to 11 hits on the day.

Chico State improved to 10-4-1 on the season and 5-3 in the CCAA, while Sonoma State dipped to 10-9 overall and 7-5 in conference action. Chico State has now won 42 of its last 50 home games.

Chico State got a solo home run from Ramos and a three-run homer from Nelson in the third inning of the opening game to break open a close game and give the Wildcats a 7-2 lead. That was more than enough of a lead for starter Kris Krise, who earned the win to improve to 5-0. He allowed just three hits while striking out seven in eight innings of work.

In the nightcap, the Wildcats took a 2-0 lead on Smith's two-run homer in the first and led throughout. Ben Buker earned the victory to improve to 2-1. He scattered five hits in six innings while striking out three.

The Wildcats and Seawolves will wrap up their three-game series with a single game Sunday at noon.

03/02/05
Baseball team ranked 18th in nation
The Chico State baseball team is ranked 18th in the nation according to the latest poll by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. The Wildcats' three-game sweep of previously No. 14 Western Oregon got them back in the rankings after spending one week outside of the top 30.

Florida Southern (15-0) is atop the rankings. Joining Chico among the West Region squads in the rankings are No. 10 Grand Canyon (8-2), No. 12 Mesa State (9-3), and No. 19 UC San Diego (7-2).

Chico State, 8-4-1 overall, is back in action at home this weekend when it hosts rival Sonoma State for a three-game series. It kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. and wraps up with a doubleheader Saturday at noon.

02/27/05
Baseball team completes sweep of Wolves
CHICO, Calif. – Ben Buker pitched five shutout innings and Jeff Walker scored four runs as the Chico State baseball team completed a three-game sweep of 14th-ranked Western Oregon with a 10-3 win Sunday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. Ryan Simpson, Zack Height, and Chad Nelson drove in two runs apiece for the Wildcats, who improved to 8-4-1 with the win.

Western Oregon, now 7-3, entered the weekend unbeaten. But the Wolves were held to three runs for the third straight game. Three Wolves errors, meanwhile, led to three unearned runs for Chico State.

Buker earned his first victory of the season by allowing just two hits in five innings of work, including a 30-minute rain delay. The transfer from Sierra Community College walked two and struck out four. He retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced.

Already leading 2-0, the Wildcats broke the game open in the fifth when Joseph Ramos and Height notched RBI-singles and Walker scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-0. The Wildcats added another run in the sixth and four more in the seventh to cushion their lead.

Chico State is back in CCAA action next weekend when it hosts rival Sonoma State for a three-game series beginning Friday night at 6 p.m. Saturday's doubleheader will start at noon.

02/26/05
Wildcats sweep 14th-ranked Western Oregon in home opener
CHICO, Calif. – Apparently true freshman Ryan Simpson is a quick learner. After watching his veteran teammates bang out 12 hits and 11 runs en route to an 11-3 victory in Saturday’s opening game against 14th-ranked Western Oregone, Simpson drove in four runs in the nightcap to lead the Chico State baseball team to a 5-2 victory over the Wolves in the nightcap.

Chico State improved to 7-4-1 overall with the sweep, while handing the Wolves (7-2) their first two losses of the season. The teams wrap up their weekend series with a single game Sunday at noon.

Kris Krise (4-0) earned the victory in the opener for the Wildcats. Entering the game having allowed just one earned run in 21 innings of work, Krise worked his way out of trouble on numerous occasions. He scattered 10 hits in seven innings of work while allowing three runs, two of them earned, and one walk. Nick Bryant pitched the final two innings to earn his first collegiate save.

Jeff Walker led the offensive effort with two hits and three RBI. Joseph Ramos, Chad Williams, Trevor Weedon, and Jesus Bravo notched two hits apiece and handed Western Oregon starter Nick Waetcher (2-1) his first loss of the season.

In the nightcap, Chico State’s Tim Thompson earned a win in his first start as a Wildcat. He allowed two runs on five hits in four-plus innings. Neal Logue and Nick Burger shut the Wolves out from there, with Burger collecting his fourth save of the season.

Simpson came to the plate with the bases loaded in his first collegiate at bat and proceeded to drive the first pitch he saw to the left-center field gap to plate three runs. He added a sacrifice fly in his next at-bat. Greg Gonzalez finished with two hits for the Wildcats, and Cody Smith went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI to cap a three-RBI day.

02/20/05
Wildcats get in three of four games in rain-soaked Pomona, finish 1-2
POMONA - In an ever-changing weekend baseball schedule, Chico State and Cal Poly Pomona managed to get in three games. Pomona won the opener, 3-2. Chico won the early game of Sunday, 2-1, and Pomona won the finale, 5-4.

Chico State is now 5-4-1 overall, 3-3 in CCAA play. Pomona stands at 5-5 overall, 4-2 in conference.

On Friday, the teams started the game three hours late due to weather and later sat through a 20-minute rain delay in the eighth inning. Pomona's Taylor Wilding turned in his second consecutive complete-game gem to give the Broncos a 3-2 win.

The teams were originally hoping to get a doubleheader in Friday, but had to settle for one game. The games Saturday were also washed out, which led to a Sunday doubleheader.

The Wildcats had took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Chad Williams that scored Joseph Ramos. Chico State starter Ben Buker made that stand up until the Broncos' three-run uprising in the fifth inning. Thanks to four Bronco hits and a Wildcat error.

Chico State cut the deficit to 3-2 in the ninth inning when Jonathan Shepard connected on a two-out solo home run. Wilding, though, struck out Williams to end the game.

After Buker left with two outs in the fifth, Robert Anaya and Nick Bryant combined to blank the Broncos over the final 3 1/3 innings.

In game one of the Sunday doubleheader, Chico State got another strong pitching performance from Kris Krise and edged the Broncos, 2-1. Krise, who hadn't allowed an earned run in his first two starts, gave up only five hits and a run to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Pomona hurler Luis Carreras carried a shutout and a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning, but Williams hit the foul pole in right field for a solo home run to tie the game. After Trevor Weedon and Greg Gonzales singled, Lee came on in relief and surrendered a run-scoring single by Jeff Walker.

The Broncos got their only run of the opener on a wild pitch that allowed Andy Gonzales to score. Cal Poly Pomona still had runners on second and third with one out, but Krise got grounder back to the box and a strike out to end the inning.

Nick Burger got his third save of the season for the Wildcats by retiring the only two batters he faced.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Broncos turned a game-ending double play in the top of the seventh inning to preserve a tense 5-4 victory over Chico State.

The game was halted by rain in the top of the seventh inning with two Wildcats on base and nobody out. After a more than one-hour rain delay, the Wildcats pushed across a run to make it 5-4 and had runners on first and third when Cal Poly Pomona reliever John Lee got Chico State's Jay Hyland to line out to Bronco second baseman Greg Denning. Denning alertly fired to first base to double up Jonathan Shepard to end the game.

John Cross got the win for the Broncos after allowing seven hits and just one earned run in 4 2/3 innings of work. Mike Quintal worked 1 1/3 innings of shutout baseball and Lee got the final three outs in the seventh for his first save of the season.

The Broncos jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap. Matt Lopez led off with a single and advanced to third base on a double by Matt Stevens. Jake Mendrin drove in one run with a groundout and Stevens later scored on an infield hit by Jarrod Allen.

Chico State got a run in the second inning on a run-scoring single by Chad Nelson.

The Broncos, though, stretched their lead to 5-1 with a three-run rally in the third inning.

The Wildcats got two runs in the fifth inning to make it 5-3. Ryan Martin and Bravo had run-scoring singles.

In the seventh, with heavy rain beginning to fall, Cal Poly Pomona reliever Matt Lusk hit the first two batters. The game was then delayed by rain. When play resumed, Lee came on to get pop-up out before Shepard singled to right-center to drive in Chad Williams, setting the stage for the game-ending lineout by Hyland.

02/16/05
Change in weekend baseball schedule
Friday games will not be broadcasted on KPAY
In order to dodge the raindrops expected in Southern California this weekend, the Chico State series against Cal Poly Pomona has been slighty changed. Friday will now be a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday will be a single game beginning at 1 pm
Sunday remains a single game beginning at noon. The Friday doubleheader will not be on KPAY radio.

02/12/05
Baseball team takes 2-of-3 at San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO – The Chico State baseball team opened CCAA action by taking 2-of-3 games against host San Francisco State this weekend in the Bay Area. The Wildcats won the first two games of the series before dropping the finale. Chico State improved to 4-2-1 overall with the series win, and 2-1 in the CCAA.

The Wildcats rallied for a 6-5 victory in Friday’s series opener. Jeff Walker’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning proved to be the game-winning run. Nick Burger pitched the ninth for his second save of the season and 16th of his career, which ties the Chico State career saves record.

Jay Hyland led off the eighth with a double and his pinch runner, Zach Height, came around to score when Chad Williams and Chad Nelson followed with consecutive singles to tie the game. Justin Jacque’s sacrifice bunt moved the runners up, forcing the Gators to walk Greg Gonzalez and load the bases. Walker instead lifted a fly ball to center field deep enough to score Williams.

Reliever Robert Anaya earned the victory by getting the final out in the top of the eighth. He improved to 2-0. Wildcats starter Ben Buker allowed four runs on 10 hits while striking out four in his seven-plus innings of work.

In Saturday’s doubleheader opener, Chico State exploded for 21 hits aqnd won 9-3. Starter Kris Krise surrendered just three hits and one walk while striking out five in six innings of work to improve to 2-0 on the season. Gonzalez, Walker, Joseph Ramos, and Trevor Weedon banged out three hits apiece for Chico State. Walker, Jay Hyland, and Chad Williams knocked in two runs apiece.

In the nightcap, San Francisco State earned its first CCAA win in six tries thanks, in part, to three Wildcat errors. The Gators scored two unearned runs in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead and they never trailed again. Gilberto Hernandez took the loss for Chico State to dip to 0-1. He allowed three runs, one of them earned, on four hits in four-plus innings of work. Chico State rallied in the seventh, but after Jacque singled home Nelson with no outs, Jesus Bravo hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end the game.

Chico State is back in action next weekend at Cal Poly Pomona for a four-game series. The Wildcats will open their home schedule with a three-game series against Western Oregon Feb. 26 and 27. .

02/08/05
Chico State's Kris Krise named CCAA Pitcher of the week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Chico State’s Kris Krise has been named the Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of February 1-6.

Krise, a junior from La Crescenta, completed seven shutout innings to earn the win in his first start as a Wildcat to lead Chico State to a 7-0 win over Cal Poly Pomona (Feb. 5). Krise allowed only one hit and one walk and struck out seven.

02/06/05
Wildcats rained out in Pomona
POMONA, Calif. – The non-conference series finale between Chico State and Cal Poly Pomona was canceled in the top of the third inning due to rain. No make-up date will be set.

02/05/05
'Cats split pair at Pomona; Krise tosses gem
POMONA, Calif. – Perhaps the biggest question mark facing the Chico State baseball team entering the 2005 season regarded how the Wildcats' pitching staff would come together. Saturday offered a mixed bag kind of an answer. Kristopher Krise tossed seven scoreless innings as the Wildcats shut out host Cal Poly Pomona in the opener. But Chico State starter Erik Bess allowed four earned runs in less than two innings of work and Pomona went on to win Game Two 5-3.

The Wildcats are now 2-1-1 heading into their CCAA opener next weekend at San Francisco State.

Krise, a transfer from College of the Canyons, had a perfect game going through five innings before Pomona's Greg Denning led off the sixth with a double. In his seven innings, he allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out seven. Eric Giaconi tossed two scoreless innings to wrap up the victory.

Jesus Bravo sparked the Wildcats offense, meanwhile with three hits and four RBI. Greg Gonzalez chipped in a 3-for-5 effort, while Jonathan Shepard finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs.

After spotting the Broncos to take a 5-1 lead in the nightcap, Chico State rallied with two runs in the seventh and had the bases loaded before Jay Hyland flew out to center field to end the game.

02/04/05
Baseball team forced to settle for tie at Biola
LA MIRADA, Calif. – The ten runners they left on base over the first six innings came back to haunt the Chico State baseball team Friday, as it was forced to settle for a 5-5 tie with Biola when the game was called due to darkness after eight innings.

Chico State never trailed in the game, but missed out on a number of opportunities to take control, and a scrappy Biola club (1-1-1) scored three runs in the fifth to tie the game.

The Wildcats, 1-0-1, got three hits from Jeff Walker and two apiece from Chad Nelson and Jorge Araiza. Nelson also drove in a pair of runs. Chico State starter Gilberto Hernandez allowed four hits and a walk over three-plus innings of work. Neal Logue was pounded for three runs in one-plus innings, and then Reid Horton shut down Biola over the last three-plus innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out three.

Chico State is back in action Saturday with a non-conference doubleheader at Cal Poly Pomona. They'll wrap up their first Southern California road trip of the season with a single game at Pomona Sunday.

02/04/05
Wildcats win season opener over Biola 7-5
LA MIRADA, Calif. – Joseph Ramos drove in three runs and Robert Anaya pitched two-and-two-thirds innings of flawless relief to collect the victory as the Chico State baseball team won its season opener at Biola 7-5 Thursday.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 7 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, opened the scoring with three runs in the fourth inning and never trailed. Fourth-year player Jeff Walker got things started by drawing a one-out walk. A Jonathan Shepard walk and Jeff Mayberry single loaded the bases for Ramos, who was hit by a pitch. Ryan Martin sacrifice fly made it 2-0, and Chad Nelson's grounder brought home Mayberry.

After Biola knotted the score in its half of the fourth, Chico State retook the lead when Ramos doubled home Greg Gonzalez in the fifth. But again, Wildcats starter Ben Buker could not make the lead stand up as the hosts took advantage of a one-out error to tie the game 4-4 through five.

The Wildcats pulled ahead for good in the sixth when pinch hitter Jesus Bravo plated Jay Hyland with a single up the middle to make it 5-4. Relievers Reid Horton and Anaya shut Biola down over the next three frames, while Chico State added to its lead with two runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Ramos and Jorge Araiza.

Nick Burger pitched the ninth, allowing a run on two hits and two walks, to earn the save. It was the 15th save of his career leaving him just one save shy of the Chico State career record of 16 held by Brian Grover (1999-00).

01/30/05
Wildcats' Ranked Seventh in Pre-Season Poll
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's
NCAA Div. II Pre-Season Poll (As of Dec. 27)

Rank	School Name	'04 Final Record	Point Totals
1	Delta St.	54-11	636
2	Central Missouri St.	57-8	616
	Florida Southern	35-22-1	616
4	North Florida	41-18	596
5	Rollins	48-12	586
6	Kennesaw St.	32-24	552
7	Cal. St. Chico	42-21-1	538
8	Grand Valley St.	46-16	532
9	Columbus St.	40-21	502
10	Sonoma St.	39-28	472