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The Wildcat baseball team took both games Saturday in a crucial doubleheader against the California Collegiate Athletic Association's No. 2-ranked Sonoma State. The Seawolves were also ranked No. 15 nationally.
The 'Cats started the day in seventh place at 12-12 in the CCAA, but moved up to fifth, with a record of 14-12, against the No. 2 Seawolves who are now 16-10.
The first game was a close one at 2-1, but the second featured the Wildcats running away with it easily, 9-3.
Wildcat coach Dave Taylor praised his team's victories.
"For seven hours, that was our best baseball of the year," he said.
His team played great defense all day, said Taylor.
The first game pitchers' duel
'Cats starter Pete Mickartz gave up only one run in seven innings, which brought his record to 5-3. Ian Waldron came in and chalked up his third save of the year by throwing two shutout innings.
The first game wasn't Mickartz' best, but he came through in crucial situations and got out of some jams, Taylor said.
Second game shows Chico State's domination
The Wildcats scored four runs in the first inning of the second outing to set the tone for a dominating win.
The game started off for Chico State with a single by Jordan Larson, followed by a walk for Kyle Eveland. The Seawolves' starting pitcher Cameron Ray then hit both Josh Meagher and Eric Stephens, which scored a run.
Adam Arakawa then hit in a second run on a muffled grounder to first base. Jimmy Dodos then hit into a double play, but still managed to knock in a run. And the fourth run came on a single by Cody Dee.
After scoring more runs in the first inning than Sonoma State did for the duration of the game, the Wildcats pulled further ahead with five more runs in the contest.
Joel Garcia notched the win to raise his record to 6-2. He allowed three runs on five hits in five innings. He was relieved by Ivan Gonzalez, who pitched the final two shutout innings and gave up only one hit.
Wildcat senior left fielder Stephens, said his team needed the two wins to stay in the running for the CCAA championships.
"When we get two wins against a top-ranked team like Sonoma, it's always a blast," Stephens said.
First baseman Meagher said he felt great about winning both games because it kept them in the playoff hunt.
Steve Newberry, father of Wildcat pitcher Scott Newberry, said "It was great to see the team battle in that first tight game and get vital pitching from Mickartz."
Like Taylor, Newberry said the second game was one of their best all year. They hit well, pitched well and kept the pressure on Sonoma State.
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