CHICO, Calif. — Rocco Gurrola tossed five strong innings in game two, and Tyler Crudo, Zach Lewis and Jacob Reyes each recorded two-hit performances to lead Stan State to a 7-1 nightcap victory after a 3-1 loss in the opener — a game in which Payton Hawkinson threw seven no-hit innings — as the Warriors earned a split of Saturday's doubleheader at Chico State at Nettleton Stadium.
The Warriors move to 9-8 overall, while the Wildcats stand at 11-7.
Game One: Chico State 3, Stan State 1
Stan State was limited to five hits in the opener but received a dominant performance from Hawkinson. The right-hander tossed seven no-hit innings, allowing just one run while striking out four and walking five in a 90-pitch effort. Chico State's only run against him came in the first inning following a leadoff walk, sacrifice bunt and RBI groundout.
Chico State broke through for three hits and two runs in the eighth inning against reliever Jared Sawyer (0-1) to secure the win.
Trailing 1-0 into the eighth, the Warriors had tied the game moments earlier. Eli Hancock led off the inning with a double to center and moved to third on a passed ball. After Jacob Reyes walked, Shane Callison executed a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a fielder's choice RBI, allowing Hancock to score and even the contest at 1-1. The run was unearned.
Stan State brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth after Chase Wilson singled as a pinch hitter, but Chico State reliever Manny Lopez (4-0) recorded two strikeouts and a flyout to close it out.
Hancock finished 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Tyler Crudo, Mason Kelley and Austin Sargent each added a hit.
Game Two: Stan State 7, Chico State 1
Gurrola (1-0) earned the win in the nightcap, allowing just one unearned run on four hits over five innings with three strikeouts. Eli Blurton worked the final two innings without allowing a hit to record his second save of the season.
Stan State struck first in the third inning when Chase Wilson drove in Crudo with an RBI single after Crudo walked and stole third.
Chico State tied the game in the fourth on an unearned run following a Stan State throwing error, but Kian Sanchez gave the Warriors the lead for good in the fifth with a solo home run to left field — his first of the season — making it 2-1.
The decisive seventh inning saw the Warriors load the bases before Lewis lined an RBI single to left. Reyes followed with an RBI single, Crudo drew a bases-loaded walk, and Sanchez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run. Mason Kelley capped the five-run frame with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-1.
Crudo reached base four times, going 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI. Lewis finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Reyes added two hits and a run driven in. Sanchez drove in two runs in the victory.
Up Next
The Warriors open CCAA play at home against Cal State East Bay, March 6–8, at Warrior Baseball Field. The series begins Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader on March 7 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and concludes Sunday, March 8 at noon.
Stan State will then travel to Los Angeles for a four-game CCAA series at Cal State Los Angeles, March 13–15, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. The series continues with a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and concludes Sunday at noon at Reeder Field.
The Warriors will host Chico State later this season in a four-game CCAA series at Warrior Baseball Field, April 17–19. The series opens Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m., continues with a Saturday doubleheader on April 18 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and concludes Sunday, April 19 at noon.
