The Chico State Wildcats won their second series of the season after winning both games in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks.
The Wildcat bats were alive early against the Nighthawks, after a slow start on Friday. Scoring seven combined runs in the first innings of Saturday’s games. The explosive offense led Chico State to two statement wins by scores of 6-3 and 9-3.
“It’s not easy to take an L and then come back and win any doubleheader, at home or on the road,” head coach Dave Taylor said. “For us to score four in the first of the first game, that was great, and we kept that momentum in the dugout for the rest of the game.”
This is now back-to-back series where the Wildcats have dropped the series opener but gone on to take the following two games.
“Going into this and last weekend and now sitting here today, to have won both series against those programs, I’m not sure I would’ve believed it,” Taylor said. “Just because we got some guys without big game experience, and we showed up the last two weekends in big games, so it’s definitely cool to see.”
Senior second baseman Thade Miller was the focal point of the Wildcat offense, as he finished the day going 6/8 with four runs scored. Senior right fielder Troy Kent showed off his power, starting things off in game one with a two-run home run to center field for the first runs of the day.
Senior pitcher Joseph Loubert was awarded with the win in game one after going two innings, only giving up two hits and one earned run. Senior right-hander Ryan Silvers was called on for the last out of the game to snuff any Nighthawk comeback efforts, earning his first save of the season.
Game two was dominated on the bump by the senior transfer Evan Tomlinson, the reigning NCBWA West Region Pitcher of the Week. Although not a big strikeout pitcher, Tomlinson kept the ball in the park all game long and put together five strong innings, giving up only three runs.
“I feel like right when you give him the ball, it’s like a free win, so just give him the ball and let us play,” Miller said.
After another successful series, the Wildcats are now 4-2 on the season with a couple of impressive wins under their belts. They will take the field next Thursday at home, at 2 p.m. against a formidable No. 10 ranked Colorado Mesa squad looking to carry over Saturday’s momentum.
“I’ve never been a part of a team where we all trust each other, and nobody on the bench is out to get anyone,” Miller said. “We all have one goal, and that’s to win.”
Home games are free to attend for students who present their student ID or Canvas home page.
For information about all Chico State athletics or to keep up with the game live, visit the Wildcat home page, or watch through FloSports.
Lukas Mann can be reached at [email protected].
