TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State split its CCAA doubleheader with Chico State on Saturday at Warrior Baseball Field, falling 13-1 in the opener before bouncing back for an 11-3 win in game two behind a big offensive performance and a complete-game effort from Austin Balentine.
The Warriors moved to 18-21 overall and 9-13 in CCAA play, while Chico State left Turlock at 20-21 overall and 9-14 in conference action.
Chico State broke open a scoreless game in the opener with a six-run fourth inning, capitalizing on three defensive errors to seize control. The Wildcats added three more runs in the sixth and continued to tack on late runs in the eighth and ninth to pull away for the 13-1 win.
Cameron Taylor provided the lone highlight offensively, launching a solo home run to left in the sixth inning for his third of the season. Mason Kelley and Shane Callison also recorded hits as the offense was limited to four total on the day.
Rocco Borrelli improved to 3-2 for Chico State after allowing one run on three hits over 7.0 innings, while Zach Geiss fell to 1-4. The Wildcats finished with 17 hits in the game, led by Jared Cantu, who drove in five runs, and Brady Wright, who collected five hits.
The home team answered quickly in game two, scoring twice in the first inning before erupting for five runs in the second to take control.
After Chico State grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the response was immediate. Art Navarette Jr. singled and Zach Lewis followed with a hit before Chris Ortiz drove in the tying run with an RBI double to left center. Mason Kelley later added an RBI single to make it 2-1.
The game broke open in the second. Chase Wilson led off the inning with a solo home run, his third of the season, Tyler Crudo and Navarette both singled, and Lewis brought home another run with an RBI bunt single. Ortiz then delivered the biggest swing of the day, blasting a three-run home run—his third of the season—down the left-field line to extend the lead to 7-1.
Chico State got single runs in the third and fourth innings, but Balentine kept the Wildcats from getting any closer. Four more runs crossed in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single from Cameron Taylor to close out the scoring at 11-3.
Balentine improved to 6-4 after going the distance, allowing three runs—just one earned—on six hits while striking out two. In the process, he moved into sole possession of sixth place in program history with 21 career wins and tied Nick Voumard (2014-17) for eighth all-time with 173 career strikeouts. Aaron McCurley took the loss and fell to 2-2 for Chico State after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in 5.0 innings.
A 13-hit effort powered the nightcap. Ortiz led the way by going 2-for-4 with a double, his third home run of the season, and four RBIs. Lewis scored three times and went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Navarette scored three runs and collected two hits. Kelley added two hits and an RBI.
Warrior Notables
- Austin Balentine earned his sixth win of the season and now ranks sixth in program history with 21 career victories while tying for eighth all-time with 173 strikeouts.
- Chris Ortiz went 2-for-4 in game two with a double, his third home run of the season, and four RBIs.
- Zach Lewis scored three runs and added two hits and an RBI in the nightcap.
- Art Navarette Jr. scored three runs and recorded two hits in game two.
- Chase Wilson hit his third home run of the season in game two.
- Cameron Taylor hit his third home run of the season in game one and added a two-run single in game two.
Around the CCAA
Saturday's CCAA action featured doubleheaders across the conference. Cal State San Marcos swept Cal State East Bay, winning 10-6 and 8-2 in Hayward.
Cal State Monterey Bay took both games from Cal State San Bernardino in Seaside, 18-5 and 4-1.
Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA split their doubleheader in Los Angeles, with the Broncos taking game one 9-3 before the Golden Eagles responded with a 15-4 win in game two.
In Turlock, Chico State and Stan State also split, with the Wildcats taking the opener 13-1 before the nightcap went to the home team, 11-3.
CCAA Standings
Stan State currently sits in seventh place in the CCAA standings at 9-13 and 18-21 overall. The team is within striking distance of the top five, with the top five teams advancing to the CCAA Baseball Championship Tournament.
Cal State Monterey Bay leads the standings at 16-7, followed by Cal Poly Pomona (17-10) and Cal State San Marcos (13-10). Cal State LA (14-13) and Cal State San Bernardino (11-11) round out the top five, with Cal State East Bay (10-13) just ahead in sixth. Chico State (9-14) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (8-16) sit behind.
The 2026 CCAA Baseball Championship Tournament is set for May 6–9 in San Bernardino, Calif.
With nine games remaining in the regular season, the postseason race remains tight.
Up Next
The series concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. in Turlock.
The team remains 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. The program 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.
The road trip continues the following week with 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. Home games will also be broadcast on Blue Chip Broadcasting.
