TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State split Friday's doubleheader with Simpson at Warrior Baseball Field, earning a 9–2 victory in the opener before falling 8–7 in the nightcap. The split moves the Warriors to 6–2 overall, while Simpson improves to 5–9.
Game One: Stan State 9, Simpson 2
Stan State used timely extra-base hits and another strong outing from
Austin Balentine to take the series opener.
The Warriors struck early with two runs in the first inning on an RBI groundout from
Mason Kelley and an RBI double by
AJ Carter. Stan State added three runs in the third and two more in the fourth to build a 7–1 advantage before tacking on two insurance runs in the eighth.
Zach Lewis led the offense, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and four RBIs, including a two-run single in the eighth.
Kian Sanchez finished 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored, while Kelley drove in three runs. Carter added two RBIs, and
Jacob Reyes recorded two hits and scored twice as the Warriors totaled nine hits.
Balentine improved to 3–0 on the season, allowing one earned run on two hits over five innings. The senior is now tied for eighth with 18 career wins and tenth wtih career strikeouts on the Warriors' top ten list.
Cameron Rosen recorded his first save of the year, tossing four innings in relief and allowing one unearned run while striking out four. Simpson was limited to five hits in the contest.
Game Two: Simpson 8, Stan State 7
The nightcap turned into a back-and-forth battle after Stan State erupted for five runs in the third inning.
The Warriors took a 5–0 lead in the third, highlighted by
AJ Carter's three-run home run to right field. Simpson responded with five runs in the fourth to tie the game and added three more in the fifth to take an 8–5 lead.
Stan State chipped away, scoring once in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Kelley and again in the sixth on a solo home run by
Chase Wilson to cut the deficit to 8–7. The Warriors threatened in the ninth, placing runners on second and third, but Simpson closer Chandler Jones recorded the final two strikeouts to secure the win and earn his second save.
Carter finished with three RBIs, Wilson homered, and
Korey Likens went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a double. Sanchez added two hits, and
Shane Callison recorded two hits and scored once as Stan State out-hit Simpson 12–10.
Zach Geiss started and allowed five runs over 3.1 innings.
Herman Luna was charged with the loss, while
Pierce Sailer delivered four scoreless innings of relief to keep the Warriors within striking distance.
Up Next
Stan State will continue the four-game series against Simpson on Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Warrior Baseball Field, with games scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Both contests will be streamed live on FloCollege
and carried locally on Blue Chip Broadcasting, with live stats and ticket information available online.
The Warriors remain home the following weekend to host Western Oregon University in a four-game non-conference series at Warrior Baseball Field. The series begins Friday, Feb. 20 at 6:00 p.m., continues Saturday, Feb. 21 with a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and concludes Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon.
Stan State then travels to Chico State for a three-game non-conference series at Nettleton Stadium beginning Friday, Feb. 27 at 2:00 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader on Feb. 28 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
CCAA play opens March 6–8 as the Warriors host Cal State East Bay at Warrior Baseball Field. The conference opener is set for Friday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and a Sunday finale on March 8 at noon.
