SAN FRANCISCO— The No. 6 Chico State Wildcats held on to defeat the SF State Gators 5-4 this afternoon in a CCAA game at SF State's Maloney Field. The Gators had the tying run on third base with two outs, but the Wildcats' Sheldon Lechuga induced the Gator batter to line out to left fielder Ian McKay to preserve the 5-4 CCAA road victory for Chico State.

The Wildcats (15-3, 9-2 CCAA) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Matt Anderson hit a two-out two-run single to right field to drive in Shane Kroker and Jackson Evans. Kroker reached on an error with one out and Evans was walked.

SF State took the lead in its half of the third inning with a three-run inning. Will Klein led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a one-out single to right field by Thomas Wood. Then Dustin Wold was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Klein scored the Gators' first run on a wild pitch. Then Kevin Dultz walked to load the bases again. With two outs, Michael Sanchez hit a two-run single to left field to drive in Wood and Wold with the tying and go-ahead runs to give the Gators a 3-2 lead.

Chico State tied the game in the fifth inning on a run scoring single by Ian McKay that drove in Adrian Bringas, who reached on a one-out double.

The Gators (8-14, 3-12 CCAA) had a chance to take the lead in their half of the seventh. Wood, who finished the day 4-for-5, had a one-out single up the middle and then stole his team leading sixth base of the season. With two outs, Dultz was intentionally walked. Nick Baker then induced the next Gator to ground out to end the inning.

The Wildcats took the lead in the eighth inning as Kroker hit a two-out single to right field drive in TJ Yasuhara, who reached on a one-out single and advanced to third on a single by Cody Foster. Foster then scored a much needed insurance run on a wild pitch to give Chico State a 5-3 lead.

SF State did not give up in the bottom of the ninth. Ben Mielke led off the inning with a walk and went to second on a single by Wood. Pinch-hitter Ivan Otsuka singled to load the bases. Reliever John Guerra then induced the Gators to ground out into a double play which scored Mielke and Wood advanced to third with two outs. Sheldon Lechuga came in and got the final Gator out to record his third save of the season.

Chico State had 12 hits which four players had multiple hits led by Foster, who went 3-for-5. Baker (5-0) picked up the win for the Wildcats in relief, pitching 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out two and walking two while giving up just three hits.

SF State had 11 hist led by Wood with three. Matt Quintero and Sanchez each had two hits apiece.

Kevin Dultz started the game for the Gators, pitching 7 innings giving up 9 hits and three runs (one earned) while striking out 6 and walking one in the no-decision. Matthew Cummins picked up the loss falling to 1-2. 

The two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow at noon for a single game at SF State's Maloney Field.

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