TURLOCK, Calif.--- After sweeping Central Washington on Friday 4-3 and 6-5, Stan State lost 12-3 to the visiting Wildcats this afternoon in game three of the four-game non-conference series.
Jackson Brooks drove in two of the Warriors' three run with a two-out two-run pinch hit double. Kyle Rachel was one-for-four with a run batted in and a double for the hosts.
Central Washington (3-6) took a 4-0 lead after back-to-back two run innings to begin the game. Andrew Sharp's one-out two-run double gave the Wildcats the early 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
The game remained 4-0 Wildcats until the Warrior half of the fifth inning.
Chris Catalano and
Robert Valdivia had back-to-back lead-off singles.
Kyle Rachels drove in Catalano with his second double of the season which Valdivia went to third.
Alex Solis reached on Wildcat error to load the bases. Stan State's next batter hit an infield fly rule and then a Warrior runner was called out on runner's interference. Reid Rasmussen induced the next Stan State batter to fly out to end the inning and the Warrior scoring threat.
The Wildcats took a 5-1 lead after Kevin Varner Jr.'s single drove in Marcus Mazardo who reached on a one-out triple. The guests increased their lead to 9-1 with a four-run eighth. They added three more in the ninth capped by a two-out two-run double by Brady Hinkle.
Stan State (4-3-1) scored three runs in its last at bat to make the final Wildcats 12-3.
Mac Cabero had a lead-off pinch-hit single.
Alexander Cummings reached on a fielder's choice which Cabero was out at second. Cummings went to second when
Robert Valdivia walked. With two outs, pinch-hitter
Jackson Brooks drove home Cummings and Valdivia for the final runs of the game.
STAN STATE HITTERS: Eight different Warrior batters had one hit apiece in
Chris Catalano,
Robert Valdivia,
Kyle Rachels,
Jackson Brooks,
JD Madrigal,
Danny Murphy,
Ryan Leonesio, and
Mac Cabero. Brooks drove in two runs while Rachels drove in a run. Catalano, Cummings, and Valdivia scored Stan State's three runs.
WARRIOR PITCHERS: Trent Huff (0-1) suffered the loss in the start for the hosts, Patrick Sweeny,
Damian Vallejos, and
Josh Ochoa pitched a combined 2.1 innings of relief, giving up three hits and one run while striking out one.
UP NEXT: The two teams will conclude the series tomorrow with a noon starting game at Warrior Field. After Sunday's game, the Warriors will begin CCAA play hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills in a four-game series (February 22-24). The series will begin with a 6pm nine-inning game on Friday, Feb. 22. It will continue with a 1pm starting doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 23. The two teams will conclude the series with a noon starting single game on Sunday., Feb. 24.
