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May 15, 2008
-- See video of the game at the bottom of the page --
Under a scorching 102 degree weather Chico State pitcher Pete Mickartz dueled it out with West Regional Pitcher of the Year Marquis Fleming in a record setting performance that led to an opening day victory of 4-2 over Cal State Stanislaus.
In front of 873 fans Mickartz struck out a post-season record of 13 batters. This was just one shy of the school record of 14 for one game.
"I just found my placement early," Mickartz said. "It was very hot those first four innings, but I kept cool."
Mickartz improved to a 13-3 record in a win that saw the Wildcats take an early four-run lead.
The 'Cats scored their first run in the bottom of the second through Cody Dee, who tagged up to home following a botched throw by Cal State Stanislaus.
Jimmy Dodos hit a leadoff single over second base in the third inning that setup a three run follow-up by Bret Ringer's hit up the middle, Cody Dee's sacrifice play, and Kevin Seaver's split into center that brought in two runs.
The Wildcat batting was hot through the first five innings but seemed to simmer down in the latter half of the game.
Cal State Stanislaus rallied in the sixth inning with a homerun by Jeff Hughes and a second run off a base hit.
Chico State will now go up against UC San Diego at 7 p.m. Friday.
This game marked the fifth straight season that the Wildcat baseball team has achieved 40 wins in the season.
"We'll take the win," Dodos said. "It's better to be playing a game with a crowd than without."
As for Mickartz's spectacular performance, he just says it's all in a days work.
"It was just a good day," he said. "It's always a little more emotional playing in front of a crowd."
Christian Del Razo can be reached at cdelrazo@theorion.com
Related links Thursday's box scores West Region Tournament Web site
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