TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State split Saturday's doubleheader with Simpson at Warrior Baseball Field, rolling to a 12–7 win in game one before Simpson used a nine-run eighth inning to pull away for an 11–2 victory in game two. The split allowed the Warriors to earn a split of the four-game series with the Red Hawks and move to 7–3 overall. Stan State has now either won or split each of its first three series to open the 2026 season.
Game One: Stan State 12, Simpson 7
Stan State jumped out early with four runs in the first inning and three more in the second to build a 7–0 lead and held off a late Simpson push to take the opener.
Zach Lewis sparked the offense, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, and three runs scored. Kian Sanchez had a big day at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI, while Korey Likens went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice. AJ Carter drove in three runs and tripled home two in the second, and Chris Ortiz delivered three RBIs, including a two-run double in the fourth. Stan State totaled 16 hits and scored in five different innings.
Payton Hawkinson earned the win in his first decision of the season, allowing three runs over five innings with three strikeouts. Jared Sawyer provided three scoreless innings of relief. Simpson scored four runs in the ninth, but AJ Victoravich recorded the final out to close the game.
Game Two: Simpson 11, Stan State 2
Simpson broke a 2–2 tie with a nine-run eighth inning to claim the nightcap and secure the doubleheader split.
Stan State got on the board in the second when Mason Kelley hit a solo home run, and the Warriors tied the game in the fourth on an RBI single from Bradley Morris. Through seven innings, the game remained even as Stan State received a strong start from Rocco Gurrola, who allowed two runs on three hits over five innings.
Simpson's decisive eighth inning featured eight hits and was aided by multiple defensive miscues, as the Red Hawks scored nine runs to take control. Cayden Lee drove in five runs for Simpson, including a two-run double during the big inning, while Aden Munoz and Bo Valladao each collected multiple hits. Chandler Jones earned the win in relief, and Eli Blurton was charged with the loss. Stan State finished with five hits, led by Lewis, Kelley, Austin Sargent, Morris, and Jacob Reyes.
Up Next
The Warriors remain home next weekend to host Western Oregon University in a four-game non-conference series beginning Friday, Feb. 20 at 6:00 p.m., continuing Saturday, Feb. 21 with a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and concluding 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, starting Friday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader and a Sunday finale.
