STOCKTON — For the first time in more than a month, the Stanislaus State baseball team drops two straight games as the Warriors were eliminated by No. 6 ranked Chico State after a 5-3 game on Thursday at the CCAA Baseball Tournament.
The Wildcats end the Warriors' short trip to Stockton and sent the Valley team back down Highway 99 back to campus. The Warriors (34-18), however, may not be done. At least they hope.
Entering the week as the No. 5 ranked team in the West Region, Stan State has a shot of being invited to move on to play in the NCAA West Region Championship tournament. The Warriors will have to wait until Sunday night at 7 p.m. when the NCAA announces the six teams qualified to continue their seasons.
Thursday's game against Chico State got off to a promising start for the Warriors.
Nick Ippolito and
Kyle Nixon both walked to start the home half of the first inning.
Gino Franceschetti and
Aldo Koutsoyanopulos both doubled down the left field line to score three runs for a 3-0 lead.
But, the offense stalled there. Chico State's starter Steven Baker retired 12 of the next 13 Warriors and got double-plays in both the fifth and sixth innings. Stan State did not reach second base again until the seventh after a
John Holleran walk and a sac bunt by
Charlie Gaff, his 20th of the season.
Chico State tied the game with a three-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run homer by Josh Falco. The Wildcats scored runs in the sixth and eighth innings for the win.
Stanislaus starter
Stewart Alexander went 7 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on 10 hits. He walked four and fanned two before handing off pitching duties to
Nick Voumard for the final 1 2/3 innings.
For the second night in a row the Warriors offense were held to four hits -- the fewest total since March 4 when they and three hits in a game against Sonoma State.
The last time Stan State lost two straight games was back on April 8-9, during the Cal State San Marcos series — a trip that has been noted as the turning point of the season. After that four-game losing streak, the Warriors won nine-straight game to play themselves into the CCAA Tournament.
