TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State used a three-run third inning and a strong outing on the mound from Evan Fanconi to secure a 5-2 victory over Chico State in the CCAA series opener Friday evening at Warrior Baseball Field, while Pierce Sailer recorded his fifth save of the season and Eric Perez led the Warriors at the plate with a 2-for-4, three-RBI performance.

The Warriors improved to 17-20 overall and 8-12, while Chico State dropped to 19-20 overall and 8-13.

Stan State broke the game open in the third inning, scoring three runs to take control early. Mason Kelley reached and moved into scoring position before Arthur Navarette Jr. delivered an RBI single. Later in the inning, Eric Perez came through with a two-out, two-run single to center, giving the Warriors a 3-0 lead.

Chico State answered in the sixth inning when Michael Baker doubled home a run to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Warriors responded in the seventh with key insurance runs. Zach Lewis singled to start the rally before Chris Ortiz doubled to right center to put runners in scoring position. Perez delivered again with an RBI single, and a Wildcat error allowed another run to score as Stan State extended its lead to 5-1.

Chico State added a run in the ninth, but Pierce Sailer shut the door to secure his fifth save of the season.

Evan Fanconi earned the win to improve to 3-0, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just one run on seven hits. Sailer finished the final three innings, allowing one run while striking out two. Jack Tews took the loss for Chico State, falling to 2-4 on the season.

Perez led the Warriors offensively, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Stan State and Chico State each finished with nine hits, but the Warriors capitalized on two Wildcat errors.

Warrior Notables

• Evan Fanconi moved to 3-0 on the season with his six-inning performance.
• Pierce Sailer recorded his fifth save of the season, tying for eighth in single-season program history with Eric Cendejas (2009).
• Eric Perez drove in a game-high three runs and recorded his multi-hit game.
• The Warriors held Chico State to 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

CCAA Standings
Stan State currently sits in seventh place in the CCAA standings at 8-12 and 17-20 overall. The Warriors are just two games back of a tie for fifth place, with the top five teams advancing to the CCAA Baseball Championship Tournament.

Cal State Monterey Bay leads the standings at 14-7, followed by Cal Poly Pomona (16-9) and Cal State San Bernardino (11-9). Cal State San Marcos (11-10) and Cal State LA (13-12) round out the top five, with Cal State East Bay (10-11) just ahead of Stan State in sixth. Chico State (8-13) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (8-16) sit behind the Warriors.

The 2026 CCAA Baseball Championship Tournament is set for May 6–9 at Fiscalini Field in San Bernardino, Calif.

With 11 games remaining in the regular season, Stan State remains firmly in the postseason race.

Around the CCAA
Stan State's 5-2 win over Chico State was part of a full Friday slate across the conference. Cal State San Marcos defeated Cal State East Bay 18-8 in Hayward, while Cal State Monterey Bay topped Cal State San Bernardino 4-2 in Seaside. Cal Poly Pomona edged Cal State LA 11-10 in a high-scoring matchup in Los Angeles.

CCAA play continues Saturday with doubleheaders across the board. Stan State hosts Chico State at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Turlock, while Cal State Monterey Bay hosts Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State East Bay welcomes Cal State San Marcos. Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA will also play a doubleheader in Los Angeles.

Sunday's schedule features Cal State San Marcos at Cal State East Bay (11 a.m.), Cal State San Bernardino at Cal State Monterey Bay (12 p.m.), Chico State at Stan State (12 p.m.), and Cal Poly Pomona at Cal State LA (12 p.m.) to wrap up the weekend series.

Up Next
Stan State continues its four-game CCAA series against Chico State with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., followed by game two at 4 p.m. at Warrior Baseball Field. The series concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. in Turlock.

The Warriors remain at home the following weekend to host Cal State Dominguez Hills, beginning Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. for Blue Chip Sponsorship Night. The series continues with a Saturday doubleheader (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.) and concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. on Senior Day.

Senior Day will take place on Sunday, April 26 at 11:30 a.m. prior to the series finale against Cal State Dominguez Hills at Warrior Baseball Field. Stan State will honor Shane Callison, Jacob Reyes, Cameron Rosen, Tyler Crudo, Korey Likens, AJ Carter, Rocco Gurrola, Austin Balentine, Eric Perez, Bradley Morris, Herman Luna, Zach Geiss, Art Navarette Jr., Evan Fanconi, Jared Sawyer, Adam Davies, Chase Wilson, Chris Ortiz, Austin Sargent and Cole Pacheco.

Stan State then hits the road for a key CCAA series at No. 11 Cal State Monterey Bay, starting Thursday, April 30 at 3 p.m. in Seaside. The series continues with a Friday doubleheader (12 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and concludes Saturday at 12 p.m.

All CCAA games will be available on FloCollege with live stats provided. Stan State home games will also be broadcast on Blue Chip Broadcasting.