04/07/07
First-time starters lead Wildcats to 7-0 victory to complete series sweep
Rieck's six shutout innings, DeCoito's three hits key Chico State's win
CHICO, Calif. – Different lineup, same result. Head coach Dave Taylor penciled four players into the starting lineup for the first time this season and the Wildcats responded with a 7-0 win against Biola to complete the three-game series sweep Saturday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. Garrett Rieck got his first 2007 start on the mound after off-season shoulder surgery and allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings, and Travis DeCoito went 3-for-4 at the plate in his first start of the season to lead the Wildcats.

Chico State, ranked No. 11 in the nation, improved to 32-7 with its 13th win in the last 15 games. The Wildcats have now won 90 of 99 games against non-conference opponents at Nettleton Stadium since the beginning of the 1997 season.

Biola, the 22nd-ranked NAIA team in the nation, dropped to 21-16.

The only hits Rieck allowed were a bunt single to lead off the game and Matt Smith’s solid two-out single to center in the fourth. The southpaw walked one and struck out two while facing just three batters over the minimum. Rieck was a key piece to Chico State’s run to the national title game last season. He started 11 games, including the College World Series opener, and went 4-2 with a 3.08 ERA. He was making his fourth appearance this season and improved to 1-0 with the win.

Rieck and DeCoito joined true freshman second baseman Sal Rivera and senior center fielder Shane Cauley on Taylor’s lineup card for the first time this season. Third baseman Trevor Moore made just his second start of the year, first baseman Matt Bitker made his sixth, and Joe Finn made his seventh start behind the dish.

Designated hitter Daniel Code was the only everyday starter in the lineup, and semi-regular starters in the outfield, Casey Smyth and Danny Pignataro, also got starting nods.

It didn’t take long for the new lineup to make an impact. DeCoito’s one-out walk and stolen base sparked a four-run rally in the first. Bitker followed DeCoito with a walk and then Code belted a ground-rule double down the left field line to score DeCoito. Finn plated Bitker with a sacrifice fly and reached base safely when center fielder Chris Foreman dropped the fly ball. Code eventually scored on a wild pitch and Smyth’s two-out double scored Finn to stake the Wildcats to a 4-0 lead.

Code’s double was the 37th of his career, which ties him with Steve Gotowala and Bao-nhan Vinh for the most in Chico State history over a two-year span. The trio is tied for second on the Chico State career list behind only Kevin Miller, who banged out 52 doubles over four seasons from 1987-1990.

Biola starter Charlie Gausepohl lasted only two-thirds of an inning and was charged with four runs – three of them earned, on two hits and two walks. He fell to 1-4 with the loss.

Chico State scored single runs in each of the next three innings. DeCoito doubled and scored on Bitker’s infield hit in the second. In the third, Moore reached on an error, moved to second when Smyth was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Cauley’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Rivera’s sacrifice fly. The Wildcats capped the scoring in the fourth when Pignataro was hit by a pitch, DeCoito singled, and Bitker’s grounder brought home Pignataro.

Elliott Tyson relieved Rieck in the seventh and pitched two scoreless innings, and Marcus Martinez tossed a scoreless ninth to wrap up Chico State’s victory.

The Wildcats will be back in California Collegiate Athletic Association action when they travel to San Francisco for a four-game series beginning Friday at 2 p.m. The Wildcats are currently in fourth place in the CCAA at 13-7, one game behind third-place UC San Diego.
Boxscore

4/06/07
Nakagawa knocks a grand slam in Wildcats' 7-1 win
CHICO, Calif. – Lorin Nakagawa hit a grand slam and three Chico State pitchers limited visiting Biola to just one unearned run as the Wildcats earned a 7-1 victory Friday night at Nettleton Stadium. Starting pitcher Nick Bryant earned the win to improve to 6-0 on the season.

The 11th-ranked Wildcats improved to 31-7 with their 12th win in the last 14 games. They also improved to 89-9 against non-conference opponents at home since the beginning of the 1997 season.

Biola, the 22nd-ranked NAIA team in the nation, dropped to 21-15.

Nakagawa hit a towering blast over the wall in right-center field with the bases juiced in the second inning, and that was more than enough offense for the Chico State pitching staff. Carl Fairburn and Danny Pignataro set the table with consecutive singles to start the inning and Jesus Luna was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Bryant allowed just five hits and one walk in seven innings of work. He struck out five and allowed one unearned run in his 21st consecutive start without a loss. Ten of those starts have come this season, and the Wildcats are 9-1 in those starts.

Jason Gillard surrendered two hits but also struck out two in a scoreless eighth, and Marcus Martinez tossed a scoreless ninth.

Biola scored its only run of the game in the third. Matt McQueen led off the inning with a single, moved to second on Chris Foreman’s one-out hit, and came around to score when Jason Gonzalez’s ground ball got through the legs of Luna at third base.

Chico State added to its lead with two more runs in the fourth. Robby Scott doubled to right center to score Shane Farmer all the way from first. Scott then advanced to third on Edgar Sedano’s single and scored on Daniel Code’s infield hit to make it 6-1. Code has now hit safely in seven consecutive games.

Fairburn’s sacrifice fly was deep enough to score Aaron Demuth in the seventh for the game’s final run.

Sedano finished with a game-high three hits to increase his team-high batting average to .408. Pignataro was 2-for-4.

Gonzalez and Hawkins Gebbers paced Biola with two hits apiece. Eagles starter Jimmy Johnson absorbed the loss to fall to 5-3. He allowed six runs on eight hits in three-and-a-third inning.

The teams will wrap up their three-game series with a single game Saturday at noon.
Boxscore

04/05/07
Code, Spottiswood lead 11th-ranked Wildcats to victory
CHICO, Calif. – There is no secret Code on the Chico State baseball team. By now, more than a season-and-a-half into his Chico State baseball career, the word that Daniel Code is one of the best hitters in the nation has gotten around. Despite that fact, Biola University head coach John Verhoeven intentionally walked Edgar Sedano to pitch to Code in the fourth inning of the Wildcats’ 12-5 victory Thursday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium. Code responded by knocking a two-run double off the wall in right-center to break open a close game and propel the Wildcats to victory.

Code finished the day 2-for-3 with two doubles, three runs scored, and three RBI. Code’s doubles, the 35th and 36th of his career, moved him into a tie for fourth with Ryan Wulfert (2001-04) on the Chico State career list. Aaron Demuth added two RBI-singles and Shane Cauley drove in two runs with a double as the Wildcats improved to 30-7 with the non-conference win. Chico State, which entered the day ranked No. 11 in the nation, is now 88-9 against non-conference opponents at Nettleton Stadium since the beginning of the 1997 season.

Biola, ranked No. 22 in the NAIA national rankings, fell to 21-14. Jason Gonzalez, who came off the bench to go 2-for-2 with four RBI in the game’s later stages, led the Eagles. Chris Foreman finished 3-for-4.

Chico State starter Billy Spottiswood earned the win to improve to 7-2. The right-hander allowed just one run on six hits in six innings of work. The win was the 17th of Spottiswood’s career, moving him into a tie for fifth place on Chico State’s career list with teammate Nick Bryant and Phil Derryman (1999-2000). Tom Glassman took the loss for Biola in his first start of the season. He allowed six runs – all of them earned – on eight hits and three walks in four innings to dip to 0-1 on the season.

Biola opened the scoring in the third when Hawkins Gebbers drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on Foreman’s base hit, and scored on Bobby Slater’s base hit to center field. That left the Eagles with the 1-0 lead and runners on the corners with none out. But Slater was picked off first and then Foreman was thrown out trying to score on a ground ball to second, erasing the threat of a big inning.

The big inning actually belonged to the Wildcats in the bottom-half of the frame. Shane Farmer and Robby Scott both singled and Sedano drew a walk to load the bases. Code’s sacrifice fly tied the game, and Demuth and Danny Pignataro tacked on RBI-singles to give Chico State a 3-1 lead.

The Wildcats broke it open with three more runs in the fourth. Farmer singled and stole second, and with two out, Sedano was intentionally walked. Code’s double made it 5-1, and then Demuth singled to plate Code and the Wildcats were comfortably in control, 6-1.

Chico State tacked on a run in the fifth on Scott’s RBI-single. In the sixth, Jesus Luna was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Lorin Nakagawa drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 9-1.

Gonzalez’s pinch-hit, two-run double in the seventh gave the Eagles some life. But Chico State scored three times in the bottom-half of the inning to salt the game away. Shane Cauley’s two-run double and Trevor Moore’s RBI-single keyed the rally.

Gonzalez’s two-run single in the ninth capped the scoring.

The same teams will meet again Friday at 6 p.m. and then wrap up their three-game series Saturday at noon.
Boxscore

04/01/07
Stanislaus closer closes door on Wildcats with complete-game
CHICO, Calif. – Sunday’s Chico States baseball game against Cal State Stanislaus will be available on demand from Comcast Cable beginning Monday. The problem is, the demand will probably be limited among the Chico State faithful after the Wildcats managed just four hits in a 4-2 loss.

Cal State Stanislaus hurler Eric Federico tossed a complete-game, four-hitter in his first start of the season as the Warriors beat 6th-ranked Chico State for the second time in three days to earn a split of the four-game series.

Federico is typically the team’s closer and he ensured himself of an opportunity to pitch the ninth by limiting the Wildcats’ offense to Robby Scott’s two-run homer in the eighth. He got into a bit of a jam in the ninth with runners on the corners and one out, but Greg Finazzo flew out and Shane Farmer popped out to end the game. In the nine-inning performance, he struck out six and walked five.

Cal State Stanislaus improved to 16-15 overall and 10-10 in the CCAA with the win. Chico State fell to 29-7 overall and 13-7 in the CCAA.

Chico State starter Chris Bodishbaugh absorbed the loss, falling to 3-2. He allowed 11 hits in three and two-thirds innings, but got out of a number of jams as the Warriors stranded eight runners in the first four frames.

Reliever Kyle Gibson got him out of a bases-loaded situation in the fourth by getting a pop up. Gibson kept Chico State within striking distance, surrendering only one run on three hits in four-and-a-third innings.

But Cal State Stanislaus had already done all the damage it needed to do. The Warriors plated a run in the second on Dennis Wolfe’s RBI-single. They tacked on two more runs in the fourth as Kevin McCarthy and Garrett Holtzen drove in a run apiece.

The Warriors made it 4-0 in the sixth when McCarthy led off with a single, stole second, and scored on Holtzen’s base hit.

The Wildcats had only one runner reach second base before finally putting together a serious threat in the sixth. Scott walked and Edgar Sedano singled to set the table for big hitters Daniel Code and Aaron Demuth. But Code flew out to shallow center and Demuth struck out to end the inning.

Chico State finally struck in the eighth when Finazzo walked and Scott pulled a long home run over the wall in right field to trim the lead to 4-2.

McCarthy was 3-for-4 at the plate and Holtzen was 3-for-5. Kyle Bonvechio also notched a pair of hits.

Chico State, now alone in fourth place in the CCAA, one game behind UC San Diego, will take on Biola in a three-game non-conference series beginning Thursday at 2 p.m.
Boxscore

Coming up...
Comcast to televise three Chico State baseball games
Comcast announced today that the company will televise three Chico State Wildcat baseball games in April and May. The games will be available ON DEMAND (meaning they can be viewed at any time) beginning the day after they are played, and will be shown on Butte College Television (BCTV) six days after they are played.

Date of game: Sunday, 4/1 Cal State Stanislaus @ Chico
Available ON DEMAND: Monday, 4/2
Airs on Butte College TV (BCTV): Saturday, 4/7 at 9:00 a.m.

Date of game: Sunday, 4/22 UC San Diego @ Chico
Available ON DEMAND: Monday, 4/23
Airs on Butte College TV (BCTV): Saturday, 4/28 at 9:00 a.m.

Date of game: Sunday, 5/6 Sonoma State @ Chico
Available ON DEMAND: Monday, 5/7
Airs on Butte College TV (BCTV): Saturday, 5/12 at 9:00 a.m.

Play-by-play duties for the games will be handled by KUBA-AM (Yuba City) sportscaster Geoff Flynn, while Jack Johnson, Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox pitching coach and longtime local sportscaster, will provide color commentary.

Comcast ON DEMAND is available on Channel 1. Butte College Television (BCTV) is available in the following areas: Chico/Oroville/Paradise (Channel 11), Gridley Biggs (Channel 43), and Corning/Hamilton City/Orland/ Willows (Channel 11)

03/31/07
Wildcats overcome adversity to sweep Stanislaus
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico State baseball team dealt with a lot of adversity Saturday. Fortunately for the Wildcats, Daniel Code, Edgar Sedano, and Joe Finn dealt with it just fine. Wildcats head coach Dave Taylor was ejected in the third inning of both games, one of the team’s hottest hitters, Carl Fairburn, missed both games with back spasms, and the Chico State defense committed five errors on the afternoon. But the Wildcats still managed to claim victories of 7-6 and 8-7 over Cal State Stanislaus at Nettleton Stadium.

Code finished 6-for-8 with five RBI, Sedano’s ninth-inning double won the opener for the Wildcats, and in the second game, Finn belted a three-run homer that gave the team the lead for good.

Chico State improved to 29-6 with its 10th win in 11 games. The Wildcats, ranked No. 6 in the nation, are 13-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Cal State Stanislaus, winners of nine consecutive conference games entering the day, fell to 15-15 overall and 9-10 in the CCAA.

Starter Nick Bryant pitched six strong innings, allowing only one run on four hits, and then Kyle Gibson tossed two scoreless innings of relief to stake Chico State to a 5-1 advantage heading into the ninth inning of the opener. But reliever Jason Gillard walked Casey Filkins, surrendered a base hit to Adam Kubo, and then Kevin McCarthy drew his fourth walk of the game to load the bases. Garrett Rieck spelled Gillard but did not fare any better. He walked Garrett Holtzen to plate one run. Then A.J. Valentine singled to center field and it seemed the Warriors would cut the lead to one. Instead, the ball rolled under the glove of Wildcats center fielder Shane Farmer and he then threw wildly toward the infield for his second error on the play as all three runs scored to knot the game at 5-all.

Chico State closer Marcus Martinez eventually got the Wildcats out of the jam, but not before giving up Adam Fonville’s RBI-double that gave the Warriors a 6-5 lead.

It didn’t take long for Chico State to come back, however. Farmer redeemed himself by drawing a leadoff walk and then stealing second base against Warriors closer Eric Federico. Robby Scott also walked, ending Federico’s day. Sedano then drilled the first pitch from David DeMott to the warning track in left-center field. Farmer scored easily, but Scott was going to have to hold up at third after waiting to see if the ball would be caught. Instead, he came all the way around to score when Steve Hollinsworth failed to catch the relay throw from the outfield, and the Wildcats were victorious.

Code finished the game with three hits, while Sedano, Scott, and Farmer notched two apiece. Aaron Demuth, meanwhile, blasted a two-run homer to center field. It was the 23rd round-tripper of his career, leaving him alone in third place on the school’s career list.

Martinez earned the win to improve to 1-1. Federico (1-2) was saddled with the loss. Valentine finished 3-for-5 with three RBI to pace the Warriors offense.

The Wildcats looked like they might run away and hide in the second game. They plated three runs in the first on Code’s two-run single and an RBI-single by Finn. They were threatening again in the second, but Farmer’s baserunning gaffe likely cost them a run and definitely cost them an out when Scott and Farmer both ended up on third base on Sedano’s base hit. Thus, they scored only once in the frame on Code’s RBI-single.

Then things continued to turn Cal State Stanislaus’ way. Filkins, Dennis Wolfe, McCarthy, and Holtzen notched consecutive singles off Wildcats starter Kyle Woodruff to cut the lead to 4-1, and the bases were still full. Valentine’s sacrifice fly made it 4-2. An intentional walk reloaded the bases, and Woodruff walked Fonville to force in another run. Hollinsworth was next and laid down a squeeze bunt that Woodruff dove on and threw home in hopes of getting the force out. Holtzen was ruled safe, however, and Woodruff and Taylor were both thrown out arguing the play.

Jason Maes relieved and surrendered a run on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI-single to Filkins before getting the final out of the frame.

Chico State trimmed the lead to 6-5 with a run in the bottom-half of the third when Finn drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on Finazzo’s base hit. They missed a golden opportunity, however, as Finazzo was caught off the bag when Scott lined into a double play with the bases loaded.

Cal State Stanislaus added an insurance run in the fourth when Holtzen singled and scored on Kyle Bonvechio’s sacrifice fly.

But the Wildcats took the lead for good with Finn’s three-run homer in the bottom-half of the frame. Code singled and Demuth was intentionally walked before Finn smashed DeMott’s offering over the left-center field fence. From there, the relief corps of Elliott Tyson, Rieck, Gillard, and Martinez combined on three-plus shutout innings to secure the victory.

Tyson earned the victory with two scoreless innings to improve to 7-0. Martinez earned the save, his eighth of the season. DeMott (0-3) absorbed the loss for Cal State Stanislaus.

Code was 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI, while Finn and Sedano collected two hits apiece. Holtzen and Filkins paced Cal State Stanislaus with two hits apiece.

The teams will complete their four-game series with a single game Sunday at noon.
Boxscores

03/30/07
Stanislaus pitcher ends Wildcats' eight-game winning streak
CHICO, Calif. - Cal State Stanislaus hurler Marquis Fleming struck out 12 in a complete-game effort to hand the Chico State baseball team a 5-1 loss tonight in the first of a four game series at Nettleton Stadium.

Fleming (4-3), who gave up one unearned run on five hits, did not allow a runner past first base in the final seven innings. He struck out the side in the sixth and seventh, and the lead off hitter in the eighth, to make it seven straight at one point.

The loss breaks an eight-game winning streak for the Wildcats and drops the squad to 27-6, 11-6 in CCAA play. Stanislaus improves to 15-13, 9-8 in conference.

Chico’s run came in the second inning when Aaron Demuth walked, advanced to second on a hit by Lorin Nakagawa, and then to third on a wild pitch. Demuth scored on fielding error by the Warriors’ second baseman.

Stanislaus scored in the second on a sacrifice fly by Cale Moss to bring in Kyle Bonvechio, who had singled to lead off the inning and moved to third on Adam Fonville’s double. Bonvechio led off the sixth with a home run to center field, his third hit of the game, and the Warriors tacked on another unearned run in the inning for a 3-1 lead. In the ninth, Stanislaus took advantage of two walks, two hits and a wild pitch to push two more runs across for the 5-1 win.

Billy Spottiswood (6-2) recorded the loss, giving up three runs on 11 hits in eight innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. Elliott Tyson pitched the ninth, allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

The same two teams will be back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
Boxscore

03/27/07
Carl Fairburn named CCAA Player of the Week
WALNUT CREEK - Chico State outfielder Carl Fairburn has been named Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Player of the Week for the week of March 19-26.

Fairburn, a senior from Lakeview, Ore., batted .500 with two doubles, a triple and a home run, notched seven RBI and stole four bases to lead Chico State to a four-game sweep over Cal Poly Pomona on the road.

Fairburn had at least two hits in every game in the series, drove in the winning run in three of the four games, and did not commit an error in 11 chances. In Friday’s 11-2 win, he went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. He drove in what proved to be the game-winner.

In Saturday’s 13-5 game one win, Fairburn went 2-for-5 with a double, two stolen bases and scored a run. In the nightcap, a 5-1 Chico win, he was 2-for-3 with a triple, scored twice, drove in two runs and stole a base. He tripled to score the Wildcats’ first run and stole home for the eventual game-winner in the second inning. He also doubled home a run in the seventh.

In Sunday's 14-12 win in the series finale, Fairburn went 3-for-5 with four RBI, two runs scored, a home run, and a stolen base. He singled home a run in the fifth and then bashed a three-run homer in the seventh, including the game-winning run.

03/25/07
Wildcats fight off late rally to sweep Pomona series
POMONA, Calif. – The Chico State baseball team, ranked No. 6 in the nation, held on for a shaky14-12 win over Cal Poly Pomona today to wrap up the four-game series sweep of the Broncos. Pomona sliced into the Wildcats’ 14-4 lead in the last two innings and had the tying runs on base in the ninth before the final out was recorded.

The Wildcats (27-5, 11-5 CCAA) won their eighth straight game and remain perfect on the road at 17-0 this season. Cal Poly Pomona (9-19, 2-14 CCAA) scored five runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth in the come-from-behind threat.

The two teams combined for 34 hits today, with Cal Poly Pomona holding a 19-15 edge.

For the Wildcats, Daniel Code was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBI, Carl Fairburn was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI and Lorin Nakagawa had three RBI.

Cal Poly Pomona scored the first four runs of the game in the opening two innings, Chico State scored 14 unanswered runs to take a 14-4 lead and the Broncos scored the final eight runs of the game.

Chico State scored five times in the third inning to erase the early 4-0 deficit. Casey Smyth was hit by a pitch, took second on a wild pitch and moved to third when Shane Farmer reached on an error. Then, with two outs, the Wildcats got a run-scoring single by Edgar Sedano, a two-run single by Code and a two-run home run by Aaron Demuth.

Chico State added five more runs in the fifth to take a 10-4 lead. Code had a run-scoring double, Fairburn drove in a run with an infield single and Nakagawa delivered a bases-loaded double to drive in three more runs. The Broncos avoided further damage when outfielder Mike Evola caught a fly ball and threw Nakagawa out at the plate to end the inning.

The Wildcats added three more runs in the seventh on a three-run home run by Fairburn and got one more in the eighth on a run-scoring double by Code.

Trailing 14-4, the Broncos fought back in the eighth roughing up Wildcat closer Marcus Martinez for five runs on four hits, highlighted by a two-out, three-run double down the left field line by Greg Johnston. Jason Maes came on and struck out the only batter he faced to close the inning.

In the ninth, Jason Gillard gave up three singles to start the inning and one out later gave up a two-run hit down the right field line. With two outs, the Broncos cut the lead to 14-12 on their fifth hit of the inning, leaving the tying runs at first and second. Gillard recorded the final out of the game on a ground ball to second base.
Next up for the Wildcats is a four-game home series against Cal State Stanislaus, March 30-April 1.
Boxscore

03/24/07
Wildcats win seventh straight; 16-0 on the road
POMONA, Calif. - The No. 6-ranked Chico State baseball team remained perfect on the road this season, taking both ends of a doubleheader against Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday at Scolinos Field, 13-5 and 5-1.

The Wildcats (26-5, 10-5 CCAA), winners of seven straight and 16 straight away from Nettleton Stadium, showed off their slugging prowess in the first game, then won a pitchers' duel over the Broncos (9-18, 2-13 CCAA) in the late game.

In the opener Chico State took a 5-3 lead with a four-run third inning, increased it to 9-4 with a four-run fifth, added another three runs in the seventh, and a solo run in the ninth.

The Wildcats pounded out 16 hits to back starter Elliott Tyson (6-0), who picked up the win in his first career start as a Wildcat. Kyle Gibson then tossed three innings of one-hit relief to earn his first save of the season.

Edgar Sedano was 4-for-6 with a double, home run and five RBIs, and Robby Scott and Aaron Demuth also homered and recorded two hits apiece. Shane Farmer and Jesus Luna also added two hits each.

In the second game, Kyle Woodruff (4-1) struck out seven while allowing just four hits and a walk in five innings of work. Jason Gillard pitched two hitless innings, striking out five and walking one, to earn his second save of the season.

The Wildcats scored in the second inning on back-to-back triples by Demuth and Carl Fairburn, who then stole home for a 2-0 lead.

Pomona’s only run came in the fifth and the Wildcats tacked on three more runs in the seventh on a RBI double by Fairburn, a RBI single by Lorin Nakagawa and a run-scoring ground out to the right side by Casey Smyth.

The four-game series wraps up with a game on Sunday at 11:00.
Boxscore

03/23/07
Wildcats improve road record to 14-0 with series-opening win over Pomona
POMONA, Calif. – Lorin Nakagawa hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Robby Scott went 4-for-6 with four RBI as the Chico State baseball team hammered host Cal Poly Pomona 11-2 Friday at Scolinos Field. Billy Spottiswood (6-1) tossed his second consecutive complete-game for the Wildcats, who remain perfect on the road this season at 14-0 . The senior right-hander allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six in his nine innings of work.

Chico State, ranked No. 6 in the nation, improved to 24-5 overall and 8-5 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with the victory. Cal Poly Pomona lost for the 12th time in the last 14 games to fall to 9-16 overall and 2-11 in the CCAA.

The Wildcats hit Cal Poly Pomona starter Ryan Screnar hard, touching him up for 10 runs, nine of which were earned, on 11 hits in four and two thirds innings. Screnar dropped to 3-4 with the loss.

Nakagawa’s opposite-field, three-run homer off the foul pole in the first highlighted a six-run inning for the Wildcats. It started when Shane Farmer doubled to lead off the game and scored on Scott’s base hit. Edgar Sedano’s first of two doubles on the day plated Scott, and after Daniel Code was hit by a pitch, Nakagawa bashed his third home run of the season.

Code and Scott each homered later in the game for the Wildcats. Sedano was 3-for-5, and Carl Fairburn finished 2-for-5.

The teams will continue their four-game series with a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m., and finish it with a single game Sunday at 11.
Boxscore

03/19/07
Billy Spottiswood named CCAA Player of the Week
WALNUT CREEK - CHICO STATE’s Billy Spottiswood has been named Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 12-18.

Spottiswood, a senior from Canoga Park, fired a complete-game four-hit shutout as the Wildcats beat Western Oregon 4-0 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. The win was part of a key four-game sweep over an in-region opponent for Chico State.

Spottiswood walked two, struck out one and faced just two batters over the minimum to improve to 5-1 on the season with his first career nine-inning complete game. At one point in the game he retired 14 of 16 batters, allowing just two singles during that stretch.

03/18/07
Baseball completes four-game sweep of Western Oregon
CHICO, Calif. – Four Chico State pitchers combined on a three-hitter as the Wildcats completed a four-game series sweep of Western Oregon with a 10-3 victory Sunday at Nettleton Stadium.

Starter Chris Bodishbaugh (3-1) allowed just three hits and two earned runs in five innings of work, and relievers Jason Gillard, Garrett Rieck, and Marcus Martinez combined on four hitless innings for the fifth-ranked Wildcats, now 23-5 on the season.

Daniel Code was 2-for-4 with three RBI, and Robby Scott went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI to lead the Chico State offense. Lorin Nakgawa also notched a pair of hits, including a double and an RBI-single. The Wildcats have now won 13 straight and 25 of their last 26 at home against Western Oregon.

The visiting Wolves fell to 6-12 on the season. Starter Griffin Webb (2-1) absorbed the loss after allowing four runs – three of them earned – on five hits in four-plus innings of work. Three Western Oregon errors led to five unearned runs for the Wildcats.

As they did during all four games of the series, the Wildcats took the lead in the bottom of the first. Scott singled and Sedano doubled, and then Scott scored on a wild pitch. Sedano scored on Code’s grounder to give Chico State a 2-0 advantage.

Western Oregon scored three times in the fourth to take its only lead of the weekend. Bryan Stone and Kevin Corrigan singled to start the inning, and Bodishbaugh plunked Coubi Jiles to load the bases. Bodishbaugh fumbled Tony Jones’ comebacker and then threw it by Aaron Demuth at first base, allowing two runs to come around to score. But the Wildcats starter limited the damage by allowing only Pat Kelly’s sacrifice fly after that, and Western Oregon had a 3-2 lead.

The lead did not last. Chico State tied the game in the bottom-half of the inning thanks to Code’s leadoff double and Fairburn’s RBI-grounder. The Wildcats took the lead for good in the fifth when Casey Smyth reached on an error and eventually scored on Robby Scott’s squeeze bunt that turned into a base hit and put the Wildcats in front 4-3.

Chico State broke the game open with six runs in the sixth. Demuth singled to start the rally; Fairburn drew a walk, and Nakagawa singled home Demuth. Jesus Luna was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Smyth drew a walk to plate another run. Farmer’s ground ball plated another run. The Wildcats added three more runs on a Scott ground ball and Code’s two-run single to increase their lead to 10-3.

Rieck made his first appearances of the season after working his way back from an arm injury. He struck out two and retired all three batters he faced.

Chico State is back in action next weekend when it travels to face Cal Poly Pomona for a four-game series beginning Friday at noon.
Boxscore

03/17/07
Baseball sweeps doubleheader from Western Oregon
CHICO, Calif. – The Chico State baseball team didn’t need the luck of the Irish thanks to strong pitching and early leads in a St. Patrick’s Day sweep of visiting Western Oregon Saturday. Billy Spottiswood fired a complete-game four hitter to lead the Wildcats to a 4-0 win in the opener, and the Chico State offense plated eight runs in the first three innings of a 9-3 win in the second game.

Chico State, currently ranked No. 5 in the nation, improved to 22-5 with the wins and has now won 12 straight and 24 of its last 25 home games against Western Oregon. The visiting Wolves fell to 6-11.

Spottiswood scattered four singles, walked two, and struck out one in perhaps his best outing as a Wildcat, and improved to 5-1 on the season. Edgar Sedano singled home runs in the first and seventh, and Robby Scott hit a two-run triple in the fifth to account for all of Chico State’s runs. Shane Farmer went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Scott, Sedano, and Carl Fairburn also banged out two hits each. Scott increased his hitting streak to 17 games, but saw it come to an end when he went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt and RBI groundout in the second game.

The Wildcats scored all of their runs against Western Oregon ace Kevin Corrigan, who allowed four runs on eight hits in seven innings of work to fall to 1-2 on the season.

In game two, Daniel Code hit an RBI-double and Fairburn added a run-scoring single to stake the Wildcats to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Sedano belted a two-run homer to key a four-run second frame, and freshman Trevor Moore’s two-run single in the third gave the Wildcats an 8-1 lead.

Starting pitcher Kyle Woodruff used the run support well. He allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out seven in five innings of work to collect the win and improve to 3-1. Kyle Gibson allowed only a hit in the sixth, and Marcus Martinez pitched a 1-2-3 seventh for the Wildcats.

Moore finished with three RBI in his first start of the season, while Farmer and Danny Pignataro scored two runs apiece for the Wildcats.

Boo Christenson finished 3-for-3 with two RBI to pace Western Oregon, which did not get more than one hit from anyone else in the lineup. Mark Holleman (1-2) took the loss, allowing six runs – five of them earned – on five hits and two walks in one and a third innings.
The teams will wrap up their four-game series with a single game Sunday at noon.
Boxscore

03/16/07
Baseball tops Western Oregon in slugfest
CHICO, Calif. – The Chico State baseball team was in a bad mood after dropping four games against Cal State L.A. last weekend, and the Wildcats took it out on Western Oregon in a 16-10 victory at Nettleton Stadium Friday. Chico State scored 15 times in the first two innings and continued its home dominance over Western Oregon. The Wildcats have won 10 straight and 22 of their last 23 at home against Western Oregon.

Edgar Sedano hit a three-run homer and Aaron Demuth hit a two-run blast before Western Oregon starter Mike Eisenhower recorded an out in the first. In the second inning, Chico State sent 14 batters to the plate. Robby Scott went 2-for-2 with three RBI in the frame, Shane Farmer hit a two-run double, and Daniel Code, Lorin Nakagawa, and Jesus Luna also drove in runs in the inning.

Chico State, ranked No. 5 in the nation improved to 20-5. Farmer finished with a career-high four hits, Scott was 3-for-4, Sedano was 3-for-3 with four RBI and reached base in all five of his plate appearances. Demuth, Luna, and Code notched two hits apiece.

Elliott Tyson earned the win in relief to improve to 5-0. He allowed one run on two hits in three innings of work.

Western Oregon scored five times in the second against Wildcats ace Nick Bryant, who allowed a career-high five runs – all of them earned – on seven hits. Coubi Jiles was 3-for-4 with four RBI to lead the Wolves, who dropped to 6-9 with the loss. Kevin Corrigan was 3-for-4, while Boo Christenson, Paul Fisher, and Joe McCormick notched two hits apiece.

Eisenhower (1-4) took the loss. He allowed eight runs – all of them earned – on six hits in one-and-a-third innings. Ben Shivers did little to help the cause in relief, surrendering seven runs without recording an out. Mike Ward and Kris Smith finally cooled Chico State’s bats, combining to allow only one run in the final six-plus innings.

The teams will continue their four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader at noon, and complete it with a single game Sunday at noon.
Boxscore

03/11/07
Wildcats lose final game to Golden Eagles
CHICO, Calif. – The Chico State baseball team was swept in a CCAA series for the first time in three years when the Cal State L.A., Golden Eagles earned a 1-0 victory in the final game of the four-game set today at Nettleton Stadium.

The last time Chico State lost four straight to a CCAA opponent was March 5-7, 2004 when the Wildcats dropped two games to UC Davis in Davis and a doubleheader at Nettleton Stadium.

The Wildcats, who entered the weekend as the No. 1 team in the nation, sit at 19-5 overall, 7-5 in CCAA play. Cal State L.A., now winners of 15 straight and ranked No. 5 should see a jump in the rankings with a 19-1-1 record, 12-0 in conference.

Chico State’s pitching was solid, with starter Chris Bodishbaugh (2-1) taking the tough-luck loss. He allowed one run on three hits and struck out two in five innings. Elliott Tyson came on for his first appearance of the series to throw the final four innings, giving up two hits and recording two strikeouts.

The Golden Eagles pitching did what it had in the previous three games, kept the Wildcats, who out hit CSLA 11-5, in check by keeping them off the base paths and getting the big out when they needed it. The Golden Eagles turned two double plays, picked off two runners at first, and caught another stealing.

Cal State L.A. used four pitchers in the game with starter Manny Hernandez (2-0) earning the win. He allowed nine hits in 5-1/3 innings, walked two and struck out two. David Chacon and Manny Urresti did their job in middle relief allowing just one hit apiece and Arturo Reyes sat the Wildcats down in order in the ninth to record his third save.

The only run of the game came in the top of the third when Jeff Carroll doubled with runners on second and third. Felipe Gallo, who walked to open the inning, scored but Chico State’s Robby Scott relayed a throw from Casey Smyth in right field to nail Tommy Horning at the plate.

Aaron Demuth, Carl Fairburn, Lorin Nakagawa, and Smyth each had two hits for the ‘Cats. Daniel Code had the only extra-base hit for Chico State with a double to lead off the sixth inning.

Next up for the Wildcats is a non-conference series with Western Oregon next weekend. Game times are 2:00 on Friday, douleheader at noon on Saturday, and a solo game on Sunday at noon.
Boxscore

03/10/07
Baseball drops doubleheader to Cal State L.A.
CHICO, Calif. – It wasn’t how Chico State fans had it written up coming into the series, but the No. 1-ranked baseball team in the nation finds itself just trying to fight off a series sweep at the hands of No. 5 Cal State L.A. The Wildcats dropped both games of a CCAA doubleheader today, 8-3 and 7-1, and find themselves down three games in the four-game series, which wraps up on Sunday with a single game at noon.

Each team gets three outs in every inning and the Golden Eagles (18-1-1, 11-0 CCAA) made sure to make the most of each and every one in the opening game. Five of the Golden Eagles’ eight runs came with two outs on the scoreboard.

Chico (19-4, 7-4 CCAA) got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a two-out, two-run homer by designated hitter Daniel Code, his second of the year.

CSLA tied the game in the top of the third on a two-out, two run double by Matt Winkelman, but Chico took back the lead in the bottom of the frame, as Robby Scott reached on a double, advanced to third on an Edgar Sedano single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Code.

The Golden Eagles grabbed the lead for good in the top of the fifth on a two-out, two-run homer by designated hitter Kurt Crowell, who also doubled in a run later in the eighth. CSLA added three more insurance runs in the seventh when four of the first six hitters each doubled to score three runs. Felipe Gallo’s double came with two outs.

Hector Molina (4-1) picked up the win for CSLA, giving up three runs on five hits and striking out three in his 5-1/3 innings. John Mitchell silenced the Wildcats the remainder of the game, giving up just one hit to earn the save.

The Golden Eagles roughed up Chico State pitching for 12 hits, including eight for extra bases and kept the staff on its toes, putting the lead-off runner on base six out of the nine innings.

Billy Spottiswood (4-1) recorded his first loss of the year, allowing four runs on five hits in 5-1/3 innings of work. Kyle Gibson gave up three runs on four hits and Jason Maes allowed one run on three hits.

In the late game CSLA kept the heat on, as Adam Klein walked to lead off the game, stole second, was sacrificed to third and scored on Jeff Carroll’s fly ball to center and the Golden Eagles added another pair of runs in the third. A run in the fifth and a solo homer by Mike Diaz in the sixth gave CSLA a 5-1 lead, which they stretch out to a comfortable six-run advantage with two more in the eighth.

Aaron Demuth did give the Wildcat crowd something to cheer about in the fourth inning with a solo shot over the left field fence for his first hit of the day and his fifth round tripper of the season, but that was all the ‘Cats would muster in the game.

Golden Eagle starter Issac Morales (5-0) had no trouble taming the Wildcat lineup, which entered the series with a .359 team batting average. He gave up just two hits, struck out three and walked four. Arturo Reyes came on with runners on first and second and no one out in the sixth and ended the 'Cats threat with a double-play ball and a ground out to third. He finished out the game for his first save of the season.

Chico hurler Kyle Woodruff (2-1) didn’t get the run support he needed and the two walks he allowed in his 4-2/3 innings both came around to score. He gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits and struck out one. Gillard finished out the game, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out three.
Boxscore

03/09/07
No. 1 Wildcats drop series opener to No. 5 Cal State L.A.
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico State baseball team dropped the series opener to Cal State L.A. 4 -3 on Friday night in front of more than 600 people at Nettleton Stadium. The win for the visiting Golden Eagles was their 12th in a row, snapping Chico’s six-game streak in what was a battle to the end.

CSLA scored a run in the top of the ninth for the win. Henry Contreras doubled to lead off the inning, was sacrificed to second and scored on a single to left off the bat of pinch hitter Brian Hernandez.

The No. 1-ranked Wildcats move to 19-2 overall with a 7-2 record in conference standings. No. 5 Cal State L.A. remains undefeated in league play and is 16-1-1 overall.

Starting pitcher Nick Bryant was brilliant once again for the Wildcats, striking out nine batters and only giving up one run through seven innings. Chico had the lead for most of the three and a half hour game, but Cal State L.A tied the game in the eighth, only to get one more in the ninth to seal the victory.

Each team posted two errors in the contest, but they proved to be more devastating for the Wildcats. A throwing mistake by catcher Lorin Nakagawa in the eighth allowed the Golden Eagles to score the first of two runs in the frame, which tied the game.

Chico left eleven runners stranded on the bases and had two runners thrown out at the plate in their second loss of the season. Chico connected with a lot of pitches that were driven deep and into the gaps, but centerfielder Fernando Franco stole the show with several heart-pounding catches.

Arturo Reyes (2-0) earned the victory for Cal State L.A, pitching the final four outs of the game. Jason Gillard (0-1) picked up his first loss for the Wildcats, giving up three runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings.

For the Wildcats, defending CCAA Player of the Week Edgar Sedano had three hits, while Carl Fairburn and Greg Finazzo each had two of the Wildcats’ 10 hits in the game.

Jack Roche led the Golden Eagles and all players in the game with four hits. Adam Klein and Henry Contreras each contributed a pair of hits to CSLA’s 11 total.

The series resumes tomorrow with a doubleheader, starting at 12:00.
Boxscore

03/07/07
No. 1 takes on No. 5 this weekend at Nettleton
Chico State Wildcat baseball hosts the visiting Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles this weekend for a four-game series between the two CCAA powerhouses. Head Coach Dave Taylor and his top-ranked Wildcats begin the series with Cal State L.A. Friday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Nettleton Stadium.

Taylor, who coached at Cal State L.A. the last two years, helped the Golden Eagles to an appearance in the Western Regional Championship game against Chico State last season. He compiled a 58-39-1 record for CSULA, and now coaches a hot Chico State team with a 19-1 overall record.

This series is critical for both teams as the ’Cats are ranked No. 1 in the nation and the Golden Eagles ranked No. 5. Chico State is coming off a series sweep against Monterey Bay and is on a six-game winning streak. Cal State L.A. has won its last 11 games and is the only undefeated team in the CCAA.

Both teams have been hot at the plate and on the mound. Chico’s starting pitcher Nick Bryant is 4-0 with a team-leading 1.74 ERA. Left-handed pitcher Issac Morales for the Golden Eagles is also 4-0 and posts a 1.67 ERA, giving up only 18 hits in 27 innings. Chico and Cal State L.A. are both hitting over .350 as a team, combining for 354 runs between the two of them.

With 34 stolen bases in 17 games for the Golden Eagles, Chico State catcher Lorin Nakagawa should be prepared for a busy weekend behind the plate. He should help at the plate, as well. He leads the ‘Cats with a .414 batting average and has 24 hits in 58 at-bats.

The last time the two teams met, Taylor was in the opposite dugout during Chico State’s win at the West Regional hosted by Western Oregon. The ’Cats are 26-9-1 against Cal State L.A. since 1994.

03/05/07
Edgar Sedano named Wilson CCAA Player of the Week
WALNUT CREEK - Chico State shortstop Edgar Sedano has been named Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Player of the Week for the week of Feb 26-March 4.

Sedano, a senior from South Gate, went 8-for-17 (.471) with nine runs, six runs batted in, a double, and a home run to lead the No. 2 Wildcats to a four-game series sweep over CSU Monterey Bay. He also drew four walks, stole a base, and recorded seven putouts and 10 assists without committing an error. Sedano’s slugging percentage was .706 with an on-base percentage of. 571.

In the series opener on Friday, Sedano went 4-for-6 with three RBIs and three runs scored. In game of the Saturday doubleheader, he belted a solo home run and scored twice before scoring two more times with a RBI and two walks in the nightcap. Sedano then went 3-for-5 with a double, scored twice and drove in a run in the finale on Sunday.

03/04/07
Baseball completes four-game sweep of Monterey Bay
SEASIDE, Calif – Aaron Demuth went 4-for-6 with three runs and three RBI, including a two-run homer in the eighth as the Wildcats blew the game open in a 15-6 victory at Cal State Monterey Bay Sunday. The win completed a four-game weekend sweep for the second-ranked Wildcats, now 19-1 overall and 7-1 in the CCAA.

Shane Farmer had just one official at-bat, but also drove in three runs. Edgar Sedano and Jesus Luna banged out three hits apiece. Daniel Code finished 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

Elliott Tyson and Kyle Gibson combined to pitch five-plus innings of relief, allowing just one earned run, as the Wildcats came from behind on two separate occasions and then pulled away with 13 runs in the final four frames.

Monterey Bay led 5-2 before the Wildcats tied the game with three runs in the sixth, sparked by Farmer’s two-run double. They trailed 6-5 heading into the seventh, but tied the game when Demuth doubled and scored on Carl Fairburn’s single.

Chico State blew the game open with seven runs in the eighth, highlighted by Demuth’s two-run blast.
Boxscore

03/03/07
Baseball remains perfect on the road with doubleheader sweep of Monterey Bay
SEASIDE, Calif. – The Chico State baseball team improved to 12-0 on the road with a doubleheader sweep of Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday in Seaside. The Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in the nation entering the weekend, won the opener 10-2 and the second game 9-4.

The Wildcats improved to 18-1 overall and 6-1 in the CCAA with the sweep. They’re off to the second best start in school history. The 2002 Wildcats started the season with 20 straight wins and with 28 wins in its first 29 games.

Cal State Monterey Bay fell to 6-14 overall and 3-8 in the CCAA.

Billy Spottiswood led the ’Cats to victory in game one, allowing just one earned run on six hits in eight innings of work. He struck out seven, walked one, and scattered six hits to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Danny Pignataro and Aaron Demuth notched two hits apiece for the Wildcats. Pignataro and Edgar Sedano both homered.

In the second game, Chico State took control with five runs in the first and never trailed. Carl Fairburn’s two-run double was the big hit in the inning. Fairburn finished with three RBI to lead the Wildcats. Robby Scott homered and notched a pair of hits. Shane Farmer banged out a pair of doubles.

Jason Gillard (4-0) earned the win in relief for the Wildcats. He allowed just two hits and struck out six in five and two-thirds innings.

The teams will wrap up their four-game series Sunday at 11 a.m. in Seaside.
Boxscore

03/02/07
Wildcats pound out 22 hits in win over Monterey Bay
SEASIDE, Calif. - The No. 2-ranked Chico State baseball team was too much for CSU Monterey Bay to handle Friday afternnoon, winning 14-5 at the Otters' ballpark. The Wildcats came out strong from the first pitch and never let up, banging out 22 hits, the most by the Wildcats this season.

Edgar Sedano was 4-for-6 with three RBI and Carl Fairburn, Robby Scott, and Danny Pignataro each had three hits in the game. Daniel Code and Fairburn both had home runs and three RBI for the Wildcats.

Chico State improves to 16-1 overall and 4-1 in the CCAA, while CSUMB drops to 6-12 overall and 3-6 in CCAA action.

Nick Bryant (5-0) picked up the win, despite giving up 12 hits. He allowed four runs and struck out 10 in seven innings of work.

CSUMB managed 15 hits in the game, but stranded nine runners and struck out 12 times.

The two teams face off again tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 11:00.
Boxscore

02/25/07
Wildcats take two games from San Bernardino; Fairburn plates winning run in both
CHICO, Calif. – Carl Fairburn plated what proved to be the winning run – though probably not in the fashion he dreamed of – and Elliot Tyson and Marcus Martinez got some redemption as the Chico State baseball team took a pair of games from visiting Cal State San Bernardino Sunday, 8-3 and 4-3.

Fairburn was at the plate with the bases loaded Saturday when the game was halted due to rain with Chico State leading 3-2. So he slept Saturday night likely dreaming of dramatic ways he could break the game open when it continued Sunday. Instead, he drew a walk that plated Edgar Sedano with what proved to be the winning run as the Wildcats went on to an 8-3 victory.

In the series finale that followed, Tyson (3-0) tossed three innings of shutout relief to earn the win and Martinez collected his seventh save of the season with a scoreless seventh in Chico State’s 4-3 victory. Martinez had blown just the second save of his career Friday night and Tyson followed him by allowing two runs without recording an out in San Bernardino’s dramatic 9-7 victory, which proved to be its only win of the four-game series.

Chico State improved to 15-1 overall and 3-1 in the CCAA with Sunday’s two wins. Cal State San Bernardino dropped to 9-6 overall and 5-3 in the CCAA.

After Fairburn walked to start Sunday’s action, Lorin Nakagawa smashed a line drive that San Bernardino shortstop Nick Hammer snared to end the inning with the visiting Coyotes still within striking distance. But Chico State reliever Jason Gillard allowed just one run in four innings of work Sunday, while the Wildcats tacked on two more runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to put the game away.

Jesus Luna and Casey Smyth led off the sixth with singles and moved up a base on Greg Finazzo’s sacrifice bunt. They both scored on Robby Scott’s single up the middle that made it 6-2 Wildcats. Coyotes right fielder Justin Watson dropped Smyth’s fly ball down the right field line in the seventh, allowing two more runs to score.

Gillard earned his first save of the season, scattering five hits in four innings. Billy Spottiswood (3-0), who allowed two runs in five innings of work Saturday, earned the win. Cheyne Hann (1-3) was saddled with the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in four and two third innings.

In the series finale, the Wildcats came back from a 3-0 deficit with strong relief pitching and a three-run fourth inning. They Coyotes scored three runs against Wildcats starter Chris Bodishbaugh in the second inning with Michael Minjares’ RBI-single and bases-loaded walks from Justin Roberson and Drew Valenzuela.

Chico State got one run back on the bottom half of the inning when Daniel Code was hit by a pitch leading off and came around to score on Nakagawa’s base hit.

The Wildcats then took the lead for good with a three-run third. Scott’s one-out bunt single got things started and Sedano followed with an RBI-single. Code singled for Chico State’s third straight hit, and Aaron Demuth doubled down the left field line to plate Sedano. Fairburn’s sacrifice fly brought home Code for what proved to be the game-winning run.
Boxscore

02/24/07
Baseball game halted in fifth after Code's go-ahead RBI-single; will resume Sunday at 11 weather permitting
CHICO, Calif. – Daniel Code's single up the middle plated Robby Scott with what may be the winning run in the bottom of the fifth minutes before the Chico State baseball team's game against Cal State San Bernardino was halted due to rain Saturday. The Wildcats led 3-2 and had the bases loaded with two out and Carl Fairburn at the plate when the game was halted.

The teams will attempt to continue the game Sunday at 11 a.m. If they can finish that game, a seven-inning affair will follow, which would be the finale of a four-game series. If the teams are unable to play, the Wildcats will collect the win because San Bernardino had batted in the top of the fifth.

Code was 2-for-3 on the day and Lorin Nakagawa knocked in the Wildcats' other two runs on a bases-loaded single in the second inning. Scott also notched a pair of hits. Starting pitcher Billy Spottiswood allowed just two runs on four hits in five innings of work. He did not walk a batter and struck out four, and he is currently in line for the win.

Cheyne Hann is currently on the hook for the loss. The Coyotes' starter allowed three runs - all of them earned - on seven hits and three walks in four and two thirds innings. He struck out two.

Brad Croxton was 2-for-2 to lead the San Bernardino offense, and his solo homer to right-center field in the top of the fifth tied the game momentarily. Justin Roberson drove in the other run with a two-out single to right that plated Croxton.

02/23/07
Wildcats' winning streak ends at 13-0
CHICO, Calif. – The top-ranked Chico State baseball team came from behind to win 6-3 and increase its winning streak to 13 games in the opener, and then watched as Cal State San Bernardino returned the favor with a 9-7 come-from-behind victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader split Friday at Nettleton Stadium. The games were Chico State’s first California Collegiate Athletic Association action of the season.

Edgar Sedano’s two-run triple tied the first game in the bottom of the seventh, and the Wildcats’ shortstop scored what proved to be the winning run on a passed ball in the opening game of a four-game series at “The Nett.” The Wildcats also took the lead late in game two when Joe Finn hit a pinch-hit two-run homer to cap a four-run sixth that gave the Wildcats a 5-3 lead. But the visiting Coyotes (9-4, 5-1 CCAA) answered with six runs in the seventh and held on for the victory.

The teams will wrap up their series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

Sedano’s two-out, two-run triple in the seventh tied game one and sparked a five-run rally that gave the Wildcats their 13th straight victory to start the season. The streak is the second longest to start a season in the program’s history and tied for the fifth longest overall. Sedano, Carl Fairburn, and Danny Pignataro notched two hits apiece for the Wildcats.

Fairburn’s solo home run staked Chico State starter Nick Bryant to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. But the Wildcats’ ace could not hold the lead. A walk and Justin Roberson’s RBI-double tied the game at 1-1. Roberson eventually came around to score on a passed ball after Nick Hammer’s single put him on third. Hammer scored on Drew Valenzuela sacrifice fly.

Pignataro’s pinch-hit double with one out in the seventh got the Wildcats on the comeback trail. Robby Scott drew a two-out walk and Sedano drilled a triple down the right-field line to tie the game. He then scored on a wild pitch to put the Wildcats ahead for good.

Chico State added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth. Fairburn got things started with an infield single. He moved to second on Lorin Nakagawa’s groundout, and then pinch-hitter Matt Bitker was intentionally walked. Pignataro singled Fairburn home, and Greg Finazzo’s grounder plated Shane Cauley, who was running for Bitker.

Jason Gillard (1-0) earned the victory for Chico State, tossing two innings of hitless relief. Marcus Martinez allowed a one-out single, but got a double-play grounder to finish the game and nail down his sixth save.

In the nightcap, Justin Roberson’s two-run single in the fourth gave San Bernardino a 3-0 lead. The Wildcats got a run back in the fifth on Scott’s RBI-infield single. In the sixth, Pignataro’s RBI-infield single tied the game at 3-apiece after Nakagawa’s double play grounder plated Daniel Code. Finn then pinch-hit and lined the first pitch he saw over the left-field wall to put the Wildcats ahead 5-3.

But with one out, Martinez surrendered a walk and a hit, and then Bitker couldn’t hold on to a throw at first, allowing a run to score. Tony Haro then singled home the tying run. Robert Badilla notched an RBI-single and Bryan Hart ripped a two-run double as the Coyotes opened up a 9-5 lead.

Chico State threatened another comeback in the bottom half of the frame. But after Code’s RBI-double and Bitker’s RBI-single, the rally sputtered and the winning streak ended. Martinez (0-1) took the loss for Chico State. Ward Minich (1-1) collected the win in relief despite allowing four runs in an inning and a third. Kevin Wilson earned his first save of the season.
Boxscore

02/18/07
Bitker = Booyah! Walkoff home run lifts Wildcats to 12-0
CHICO, Calif. – When opportunity knocks, Matt Bitker keeps knocking the ball out of the yard. Bitker hit a three-run walkoff homer in the bottom of the 10th to lead the top-ranked Chico State baseball team to an 11-8 victory over Oregon Tech Sunday. It was Bitker’s fourth home run in nine at-bats this season. The Paradise High School product is now 7-for-9 with four home runs, a double, and nine RBI.

There was some question as to whether the ball was actually a home run, but the umpires ruled that it hit a tree and then bounced back into the playing field. The winning run would have scored either way, and Chico State improved to 12-0 on the season by completing a three-game sweep of the Hustlin’ Owls.

The Wildcats likely never thought they would have to win the game in such thrilling fashion. They led 7-0 heading into the seventh inning before Oregon Tech rallied for eight runs, capped by Taylor Skinner’s 3-run homer in the eighth, to tie the game.

Chico State reliever Elliott Tyson, who earned the win to improve to 2-0, kept the Hustlin’ Owls off the board in the ninth and 10th. Robby Scott then drew a walk leading off the bottom-half of the 10th. He moved to second on Edgar Sedano’s sacrifice bunt, and Daniel Code was intentionally walked, setting up Bitker’s heroics. He drove a 1-1 pitch to right-center to win the game.

Derek Jacobson (0-1) took the loss for Oregon Tech despite allowing just one run on two hits in five-plus innings of work prior to Bitker’s home run. Hustlin’ Owls starter Casey Burton allowed seven runs – four of them earned – on seven hits and four walks in four innings.

Chico State starter Billy Spottiswood had given up just one hit through six innings of work before Oregon Tech touched him up in the seventh for five hits and five runs, only three of which were earned. Bryan Barrington delivered the key hit in the inning, a two-run double down the left field line.

The Wildcats still led 7-5, however, and increased the lead to 8-5 when Casey Smyth drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom-half of the frame. But singles by Dustin Kim Seu and Marcus James set the table for Skinner, who bashed one over the wall in left-center against Chico State reliever Jason Maes to tie the game.

Chico State opened the scoring in the third when Smyth hit a leadoff double and scored on Scott’s single. Scott came around to score on a two-out Oregon Tech error to make it 2-0.

The Wildcats added four more runs in the fourth. Jesus Luna reached on an error to start things and Smyth followed with a bunt single. Second baseman Jon Tapia, who was covering first base on the play, let the late throw to first get through him and bound down the right field line as Luna scored and Smyth advanced to third. Greg Finazzo plated Smyth with a sacrifice fly. Scott homered and then Aaron Demuth singled home Edgar Sedano to give the Wildcats a 6-0 advantage.

Lorin Nakagawa blasted a solo home run to left-center in the fifth to increase Chico State’s lead to 7-0.

Scott, Nakagawa, and Smyth finished with two hits apiece for the Wildcats. Code, meanwhile, saw his 14-game hitting streak end with an 0-for-5 day at the plate.

Skinner finished 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored to lead the Hustlin’ Owls offense.

Chico State will open up its California Collegiate Athletic Association schedule next Friday at 6 p.m. against Cal State San Bernardino to begin a four-game home series.
Boxscore

02/17/07
Top-ranked Wildcats open at home in style with doubleheader sweep of Oregon Tech
CHICO, Calif. – The top-ranked Chico State baseball team swept a doubleheader from Oregon Tech to open its home campaign in front of 1,186 fans Saturday at Nettleton Stadium. Starter Nick Bryant (3-0) allowed just one run in seven innings and Aaron Demuth drove in five runs to lead the Wildcats to a 13-2 win in the opener. Kyle Woodruff (2-0) allowed just two hits and a run in five-plus innings in the nightcap, and Marcus Martinez pitched the seventh for his fifth save of the season.

The Wildcats, tied with the University of Tampa atop the national standings, are now 11-0. Only the 2002 team, which started 20-0, can boast a long winning streak to start the season. Oregon Tech fell to 2-2.

The games contrasted greatly as the Wildcats won the opener with ease after scoring three runs in the first and five in the second. The nightcap was a pitchers’ duel between Woodruff and Oregon Tech’s Kyle Koontz, who scattered eight hits and allowed two runs in six innings of work.

A sacrifice fly off the bat of Daniel Code and Demuth’s two-run double staked the Wildcats to a 3-0 lead in the opening frame of the first. Another two-run double by Demuth keyed a five-run second for the Wildcats, who added a single run in the third on another Code sacrifice fly to make it 9-0.

Code doubled and scored on Demuth’s base hit in the fifth to give Chico State a 10-0 lead, and after the Hustlin’ Owls finally broke through against Bryant in his seventh and final frame, Matt Bitker hit a two-run, opposite-field homer to build the Wildcats’ lead to 12-1.

Shane Farmer doubled and scored on freshman Sal Rivera’s, first collegiate hit to cap the scoring.

In the second game, Robby Scott singled and came around to score on Code’s base hit to center field in the first to give Chico State a 1-0 lead. Code’s base hit extended his hitting streak to 14 games dating back to last season.

Chico State added another run in the fourth when Lorin Nakagawa singled and scored on Jesus Luna’s grounder.

Woodruff, meanwhile, allowed just one hit through five frames despite battling control problems. He walked five and struck out four in five-and-a-third innings. After he allowed a leadoff double in the sixth, Elliott Tyson got the Wildcats out of the inning, though a run did score on a wild pitch and Dan Mecum’s RBI-grounder.

Martinez pitched a 1-2-3 seventh for the save. It was the 17th save of his career, moving past Nick Burger into sole possession of second place on the school’s career saves list. Brian Grover holds the record at 29.

The teams will wrap up their three-game series with a single game Sunday at noon.
Boxscore

02/12/07
Wildcats move into tie for No. 1 in national rankings
Chico State and Tampa University are going head to head again. The teams that played in last season's national title game - Tampa defeated Chico State 3-2 in extra innings - are tied for No. 1 in the Collegiate Baseball Magazine National Rankings released Monday.

At 9-0, the Wildcats are off to the third best start in school history. The last time Chico State was ranked No. 1 in the nation was May 20, 2002. Tampa, ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll and also in last week's poll, is 6-2. The Spartans won three of four games against then-No. 2 Georgia College & State to start the season, and then won three of four against 20th-ranked Catawba last weekend.

Florida Southern, ranked No. 3 follows Chico State and Tampa. Montevallo and Ashland round out the top five. Mesa State, one of four teams the Wildcats beat in last weekend's CCAA/RMAC Challenge, is the next highest ranked West Region team at No. 17. Cal State L.A. is No. 19, Sonoma State is No. 22, and UC San Diego is No. 29.

02/12/07
Nick Bryant named Wilson CCAA Pitcher of the Week
WALNUT CREEK - Chico State's Nick Bryant has been named Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of Feb. 5-11.

Bryant, a senior right-hander from Durham, allowed just two singles in six innings in the Wildcats’ 20-4 win over Colorado State-Pueblo on Friday to start the team’s perfect run at the CCAA/RMAC Tournament in St. George, Utah. Chico State finished the tournament with a 4-0 record as it improved to 9-0 on the season.

Bryant retired 9 of the first 10 batters he faced before yielding a walk to the leadoff batter in the fourth inning, who eventually scored on a sacrifice fly. He struck out six and walked two batters in the outing as CSUP batters only batted .105 against him.

He improved to 2-0 on the season with a 1.64 ERA with 12 strike outs in 11 innings of work.

02/11/07
Wildcats sweep through CCAA/RMAC Challenge
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The second-ranked Chico State baseball team improved to 9-0 on the season with a 15-7 victory against New Mexico Highlands Sunday to wrap up the California Collegiate Athletic Association/Rocky Mountain Athletic Association Challenge hosted by Dixie State University.

Edgar Sedano hit a two-run homer and finished 3-for-4 with five RBI to lead the Wildcats. Paradise High School product Matt Bitker also homered for the Wildcats and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Chris Bodishbaugh earned the win in relief for Chico State to improve to 2-0.

The Wildcats will open their home schedule next Saturday with a doubleheader against Oregon Tech beginning at noon.
Boxscore

02/10/07
Wildcats remain perfect with win over Mesa State
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The No. 2 ranked Chico State baseball program defeated 18th-ranked Mesa State, 7-4, in second-day action of the CCAA/RMAC Challenge hosted by Dixie Sate in St. George, Utah.

Chico State (8-0) got on the board first in the fourth inning. The teams battled to a 3-3 tie through six innings until the Wildcats scored four runs in the final three innings for the win.

Daniel Code went 3-for-5 and Jesus Luna was 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead Chico State. Lorin Nakagawa also had two hits. Chico State starter Billy Spottswood went seven innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits while striking out three. Jason Gillard pitched the eighth and Marcus Martinez pitched the ninth, earning his fourth save of the season.
Boxscore

02/09/07
Wildcats beat Colorado State-Pueblo, Dixie State
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The second-ranked Chico State baseball team won one game the easy way Friday, and then came from behind to win a second on opening day at the California Collegiate Athletic Association/Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Challenge, hosted by Dixie State in St. George, Utah.

Aaron Demuth homered twice and drove in six runs in the opening game, and starter Nick Bryant allowed just one run in six innings of work, while striking out six, as the Wildcats defeated CSU-Pueblo 20-4. In the second game, Paradise High School product Matt Bitker hit a two-run, pinch-hit homer to tie the game in the seventh and spark a six-run inning as the Wildcats came from behind to defeat host Dixie State 7-4.

Chico State improved to 7-0 with the victories. The Wildcats will face 18th-ranked Mesa State Saturday at 12:30 and then New Mexico Highlands Sunday at 10 a.m. to wrap up the three-day tournament.

Against Colorado State-Pueblo, a team that was picked to finish second in the RMAC this season, the Wildcats scored twice in the first to take the lead for good. In the second, Edgar Sedano hit a three-run triple and Demuth smashed a two-run homer to straight-away center field. He added a three-run shot to left in the third as the Wildcats scored six more runs. Demuth finished 3-for-3 with three runs and six RBI. Carl Fairburn and Daniel Code each notched three hits and three RBI, while Robby Scott banged out three hits and scored three times.

Dixie State played the Wildcats much closer and actually led 3-1 heading into the seventh. But Joe Finn led off the inning with a single and then Bitker hit his first home run of the season to the opposite field to tie the game 3-3. Jesus Luna followed with a single and came around to score on Scott’s base hit. Scott later scored what proved to be the winning run on Demuth’s hit.

Elliott Tyson earned the win in relief for the Wildcats, allowing one run on four hits in three innings of work. Marcus Martinez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save of the season.
Boxscore

02/06/07
Baseball team jumps to No. 2 in nation
Thanks to a 5-0 record on their season-opening trip to Hawaii, the Chico State baseball team jumped one spot to No. 2 in the nation in the first Collegiate Baseball Newspaper regular season rankings Tuesday.

Tampa University, which defeated Chico State in the national title game last season, remains at No. 1 after taking two of three games from preseason No. 2 Georgia College & State over the weekend. Florida Southern is No. 3, followed by Delta State and Georgia College & State.

Chico State’s California Collegiate Athletic Association foes UC San Diego, Cal State L.A., and Sonoma State are also in the top 30. UC San Diego took three of four games from preseason No. 26 Western Oregon University and jumped seven spots to No. 23. Cal State L.A., off to a 3-0-1 start, is No. 25. Sonoma State (3-0) is No. 29.

Seventeenth-ranked Mesa State (3-1) is the only other team from the West Region in the top 30 at No. 17.

02/05/07
Kyle Gibson named Wilson CCAA Baseball Pitcher of the Week
WALNUT CREEK - Chico State’s Kyle Gibson has been named Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 4.

Gibson, a junior from Ventura, made a spectacular NCAA debut on Saturday versus Hawaii Pacific as the Chico State Wildcats swept a five-game series from HPU in Hawaii. He also had plenty of run-support as the Wildcats won 10-1.

Gibson struck out 14 batters while allowing just one run during the seven-inning complete game. Gibson scattered five hits and a walk over seven frames. He struck out the side in the fourth and seventh innings and went on to strike out 11 of the final 14 batters he faced. He retired 10 consecutive batters during one stretch of the game.

02/03/07
Baseball team wins two more to complete series sweep
WAIPIO, Ha. – Kyle Gibson twirled a complete game in the nightcap Saturday to complete the Chico State baseball team’s five-game series sweep of Hawaii-Pacific to open the season. The Wildcats won the opener 6-3 on the strength of Lorin Nakagawa’s three-run triple and then won the second game 10-1 behind Gibson’s complete game.

Gibson, a transfer from UC Irvine where he redshirted last season, allowed just one run in seven innings of work to win his first NCAA start.

Aaron Demuth and Joe Finn hit back-to-back home runs – Demuth’s a two-run shot – to stake Gibson to a 3-0 lead. Shane Cauley added a bases-clearing double later in the game, Daniel Code doubled home a run and hit a sacrfice fly, and Greg Fizanno and Trevor Moore notched run-scoring hits.

Kyle Woodruff picked up the victory in the opener and Marcus Martinez collected his second save of the season.
Boxscore

02/02/07
Wildcats improve to 3-0 in Hawaii
WAIPIO, Ha. – The third-ranked Chico State baseball team improved to 3-0 on the early season with a doubleheader sweep at Hawaii Pacific Saturday. Billy Spottiswood earned the pitching victory in a 7-4 win to start the afternoon, and Chris Bodishbaugh picked up the win in the nightcap, which the Wildcats won 10-4.

Spottiswood allowed three runs – only one of them earned – on six hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked a pair. Returning All-American closer Marcus Martinez collected his first save of the season, striking out one in a 1-2-3 frame.

Greg Finazzo led the offense with two hits and two runs batted in. Aaron Demuth, Casey Smyth, and Jesus Luna also had two hits apiece, and Luna scored three times.

A five-run second inning was enough to propel the Wildcats to victory. Daniel Code singled to start the frame and Aaron Demuth and Danny Pignatero walked to load the bases. Smyth plated Code with a base hit, Luna drove in another with a ground ball, and Robby Scott’s infield hit and a pair of errors accounted for the other three runs.

Luna doubled and came around to score on Finazzo’s base hit to put the Wildcats ahead 6-1 in the fourth and the pair teamed up again in the seventh when Luna singled and later came around to score when Finazzo single up the middle.

In the nightcap, Bodishbaugh allowed three runs on six hits in four innings of work. The transfer from Los Medanos Junior College struck out three and didn’t walk a batter. Elliott Tyson, Jason Gillard, and Jason Maes combined to allow just one unearned run on three hits in relief.

Lorin Nakagawa drove in three runs, while Code and Finazzo drove in two apiece to pace the offense. Demuth was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Luna and Smyth scored two runs apiece.

The Wildcats will wrap up their Hawaii road trip with two more games against Hawaii Pacific Saturday beginning at 4 p.m., PST.
Boxscore

02/01/07
Wildcats open Taylor tenure with 9-5 win
WAIPIO, Ha. – Greg Finazzo led off first-year head coach Dave Taylor’s tenure with a bang – a home run leading off the game – and the 3rd-ranked Chico State baseball team cruised to a 9-5 season-opening victory against Hawaii Pacific Thursday. The second game was rained out.

Returning All-American Nick Bryant started and earned the win for the Wildcats, throwing five innings and allowing only one run on six hits while striking out six. Meanwhile, Chico State’s lead grew in the fourth when Casey Smyth drew a one-out walk and then Lorin Nakagawa belted a two-run homer to make it 3-0. This is a sort of homecoming for Nakagawa who is from nearby Mililani.

Hawaii Pacific trimmed the lead to 3-1 in the fifth with a base hit, stolen base, error, and groundout. But Chico State blew the game open with a four-run seventh highlighted by Smyth’s two-run single. Edgar Sedano was hit by a pitch and Daniel Code drew a walk to set the table. Aaron Demuth legged out a bunt single to load the bases and Jesus Luna was hit by a pitch to plate Sedano. Smyth, who started in left field for the injured Carl Fairburn, followed with a two-run single to left field. Matt Bitker’s RBI=grounder plated the inning’s final run and left Chico State with a 7-1 advantage.

The Wildcats tacked on a single run in the eighth on Demuth’s RBI-single and another in the ninth on Travis DeCoito’s RBI-single.

Elliott Tyson, meanwhile, followed Bryant with two scoreless innings. Jr. Garcia pitched a scoreless eighth, but ran into trouble in the ninth when two errors exacerbated the four walks he surrendered. Garcia allowed four runs in the frame, but only one was earned.

The teams will attempt to get two games in Friday, beginning at 6 p.m., PST. The games will be available via the Internet at http://www.hpu.edu/. Click the link to the online broadcast schedule.
Boxscore

01/31/07
Baseball team opens season with six games in Hawaii
The 2007 Chico State baseball team opens its season under new head coach Dave Taylor with six games in three days at Hawaii-Pacific beginning with a doubleheader Thursday at 4 p.m., PST. The Wildcats, who will also play doubleheaders against the Seasiders beginning Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., will be without former head coach Lindsay Meggs for the first time in 14 seasons, but a number of familiar faces still dot the roster.

Fifteen players return from the team that finished 46-21 last season and advanced to the national title game, including All-American pitchers Nick Bryant and Marcus Martinez. Daniel Code and Aaron Demuth also return to anchor the middle of the lineup, as do infielders Jesus Luna and Robby Scott. Other returners include outfielders Carl Fairburn, Casey Smyth, Shane Cauley, and Greg Finazzo, catcher Lorin Nakagawa, starting pitcher Billy Spottiswood, and relievers Jason Gillard, Jason Maes, and Elliott Tyson.

Taylor, the Wildcats’ pitching coach for seven seasons, including the team’s 1997 and 1999 national championship runs, spent two seasons as the head coach at Cal State L.A. before returning to Chico State to take the reigns of the program. Mike McCormick will add to the continuity on the bench in his eighth season as an assistant coach. Former Chico State standout and Chico Outlaws pitching coach Alex Carbajal is the team’s pitching coach.

Chico State’s home opener is scheduled for Feb. 17 at noon against Oregon Tech.

01/04/07
Baseball team preseason No. 3
The Chico State baseball team, which came within a strike of winning the NCAA Division II national title last season, is ranked No. 3 in the recently released Collegiate Baseball Newspaper preseason poll. Tampa, which beat the Wildcats in the national title game last season, was an overwhelming No. 1 pick, and Georgia College & State, which finished 53-12 last season, is No. 2.

Chico State finished 46-21 last season and advanced to its fourth national title game in 10 seasons. The Wildcats have now qualified for the postseason 11 years in a row, advanced to the NCAA Championship tournament nine times in the past 11 years, won the NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional seven times in the past 10 years, and qualified for the Division II College World Series three times in a row.

Following Chico State in the preseason top 10 are No. 4 Florida Southern, No. 5 Montevallo, No. 6 Francis Marion, No. 7 Ashland, No. 8 Emporia State, No. 9 Central Missouri State, and No. 10 Franklin Pierce.

UC San Diego, ranked 30th, and 35th-ranked Cal State L.A. are the only other California Collegiate Athletic Association teams listed in the top 40, though Cal State Dominguez Hills and Sonoma State are listed among those receiving votes.

At No. 18, Mesa State is the highest-ranked West Region team besides Chico State. Western Oregon is ranked 26th.

Chico State, which lost just seven players to graduation last spring, opens the season Feb. 1 in Hawaii. The Wildcats will play six games at Hawaii Pacific in three days before traveling to St. George, Utah, for four games at the CCAA/RMAC Challenge Feb. 9-11. They’ll open the home half of the schedule Feb. 17-18 with a three-game series against Oregon Tech.

07/25/06
Chico State appoints Dave Taylor interim baseball coach
CHICO, Calif. – Chico State Athletic Director Anita Barker announced today that former Chico State pitching coach Dave Taylor has been appointed the interim head coach for the Wildcat baseball program.

“I am thrilled that Dave has agreed to return to the Wildcat family and lead our baseball program,” said Barker. “Dave played a critical role during his eight years as assistant coach in building our winning tradition. As head coach at CSLA he has proven his ability to create a winning program in a very short time. I am certain that under Dave's leadership, Chico State baseball will continue as a powerful force in Division II baseball.”

During Taylor’s eight years on the Wildcat coaching staff (1997-2004), he helped lead the Wildcats to NCAA Division II titles in 1997 and 1999 and an NCAA runner-up finish in 2002. The Wildcats also advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series in 1998 and 2004 for a total of five World Series trips during Taylor’s tenure.

Taylor left Chico State after the 2004 season for the head coaching position at Cal State L.A., where he took a struggling sub .500 program to the NCAA tournament in two seasons. Taylor’s Golden Eagles reached the championship game of the 2006 West Regional. Taylor compiled a record of 58-39-1 at CSLA.

“The opportunity to return to Chico State was one that I just could not pass up,” said Coach Taylor. “After spending eight years there, I really feel a connection to the people at Chico State as well as the community. The Chico State baseball program is the top D-II program in the West Region and consistently competes for a national championship. My job is to maintain that consistency and put our players in an environment where they can achieve their goals academically as well as athletically.”

As pitching coach at Chico State, Taylor mentored three CCAA Pitchers of the Year over a six-season span and a total of eight All-Americans. In addition, his pitching staff led the CCAA conference in earned run average each year after joining the CCAA in 1999.

Prior to joining the coaching staff at Chico State, Taylor spent three years at Wyoming (1994-96), including head coach for the 1995 and 1996 campaigns. Taylor was named WAC Coach of the Year in 1996 when he led the Cowboys to a 36-20 record in what had already been announced as the final year of the Wyoming baseball program. Taylor’s overall record as a head coach stands at 115-94-1 over four seasons.

Taylor played collegiately at Oxnard Community College before transferring to the University of Arizona for the 1985-86 seasons, including Arizona’s 1986 College World Series championship campaign.

He went on to play two seasons of minor league baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization, advancing as high as double-A and earning the Brewers’ Minor League Catcher of the Year award in 1987 before retiring as a player.

Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from Cal Lutheran in 1989 and his master’s degree in physical education from Chico State in 2004. He and his wife, Robin, have two sons, Mark and Jack.

07/20/06
Lindsay Meggs headed to Indiana State
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State University Director of Athletics Ron Prettyman announced today that Lindsay Meggs has been hired as head coach of the Sycamore Baseball program. Meggs come is ISU after spending the past 13 seasons as head coach at Chico State where he guided the Wildcats to two NCAA Division II National Championships and compiled an overall record of 538-228-4.

"Lindsay Meggs is one of the finest baseball coaches at any level in the country,” said Prettyman. “He brings a high level of experience, success and proven abilities to our program. He will represent us with class and dignity as our program develops into one of national recognition."

Meggs’ Wildcats have qualified for the world series seven times in the last ten years. They have captured eight conference championships and seven regional crowns in the span. A two-time NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year (1997 and 1999), he has been named regional coach of the year seven times and has captured conference coach of the year honors on seven occasions.

"I’m excited to be on board at Indiana State, and I’m looking forward to assembling a staff and getting in touch with our current players," said Meggs. "Sycamore fans can expect to see a team that plays the game the right way and that takes a lot of pride in representing ISU. I’m looking forward to getting out there and competing in the MVC."

A 1999 inductee into the California State-Chico Hall of Fame, Meggs led the Wildcats to nine conference championships and advanced to the Division II College World Series seven times. He was a three-time California State-Chico Coach of the Year winner.

“The National Championships and World Series appearances are a real feather in Coach Meggs’ cap,” said Prettyman. “Even more admirable are his commitments to academics, community relations and the drive and desire to represent Indiana State University through our baseball program. I look forward to many successful years ahead for our baseball program under the leadership of Coach Lindsay Meggs.”