CHICO – Austin Fitzpatrick homered but the Warriors were held to four hits as No. 37 Chico State took game two of the series, 6-1, at Nettleton Stadium on Saturday.

Stronger starting pitching again helped the nationally ranked Wildcats as the Warriors fall to 10-3 overall and 0-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Chico State is 9-4 and 2-0 in league play as the teams shift the series to Turlock for a doubleheader on Sunday.
 
Fitzpatrick's solo homer in the fourth inning was the Warriors only run as the first baseman ended up going 2-for-4, accounting for half of the Warriors' hits. 
 
Entering the bottom of the fifth inning tied 1-1, the Wildcats scored three more times helped by a Stan State error leading to three unearned runs as Chico chased starter Cody Kruip. The Warriors were finally able to end the inning with a ground out.
 
Kruip suffered the loss on the mound pitching 4 2/3 innings and gave up one earned run on five hits. Kruip had three strikeouts and walked one batter. Tyler Murphy pitched the final 3 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on six hits.

Like Friday's game, Chico State starting pitcher turned in a quality start. Casey Costello struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings. He gave up the four hits and the home run. Anthony Baleto threw 2 2/3 hitless innings for the save.
 
Sunday's series finale doubleheader at Warrior Baseball Field begins at 1 p.m.