The Chico State Wildcats’ baseball team was unable to win the series against the Point Loma Sea Lions but avoided a sweep with an 11-0 win in the series finale.

Taking on the No. 16-ranked Point Loma Sea Lions, the Wildcats looked to work back to a winning record after losing their opening series against the William Jessup Warriors.

Instead, the ’Cats came out flat in the first three games of the series.

The Sea Lions beat the ’Cats in the first three games of the series with scores of 11-3, 4-1, and 4-1. The ’Cats were able to avoid the sweep in the final game of the series with a dominant 11-0 shutout win.

Game 1: 

The Sea Lions struck early against ’Cats’ pitcher, junior Tyler Eastham, putting up two runs in the first inning. Sea Lion’s first basemen, Hank Smith, hit a two-run single to start the scoring for the Sea Lions, as things further unraveled in the second inning when the Sea Lions put up four runs, led by outfielder Ben Finnegan’s rbi single to center. 

The ’Cats responded by scoring on an error, making the score 6-1 in favor of the Sea Lions.

Right-handed pitcher Jakob Von Lubken replaced Eastham, but gave up two more runs before closing out the third inning. The scoring didn’t end in the fourth inning as the Sea Lions put up two more runs on a fielding error, making the score 10-1.

The ’Cats made a final push by scoring two runs in the eighth inning with back-to-back singles from senior Keoni Coloma and junior Jackson Snitko to make the score 10-3.

Ultimately, the Sea Lions secured the win with a final score of 11-3 over the ’Cats.

Game 2: 

Hoping to bounce back after the game one loss, the ’Cats handed the ball to sophomore right-handed pitcher Andrew Seibert. 

With a slow start, neither team could get points on the board until the ’Cats found themselves with two men on base in the fourth inning. Snitko advanced to home plate, scoring the first run of the game on a throwing error by the Sea Lions.

Seibert passed the ball to senior Aaron McCurly in the eighth inning after throwing a solid seven shutout innings. After giving up the game-tying single, junior Caden Hodina replaced McCurly, but allowed two more runs to score, putting the ’Cats behind 3-1. Freshman Nathan Hikes replaced Hodina, but gave up yet another run to make the score 4-1 in the eighth.

In the end, the ’Cats weren’t able to close the gap, losing the game 4-1.

Gallery // 6 Photos

Chico State Wildcats huddle before a game against the Point Loma Sea Lions, at Nettleton Stadium, at Chico State, on Feb. 5, 2026. Photo by Raquel G. Frohlich.

Game 3:

Game three was the second half of a doubleheader for the ’Cats, but the results were the same.

Junior Thomas Meyer got the start for the ’Cats and started strong, not giving up a run until an RBI double from Sea Lions outfielder Tristan Moore, making the score 1-0 in the third inning.

The Sea Lions added to their lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run down the right field line by Smith, his first of the season.

They would also add another run on a squeeze bunt by catcher Mason Cook, bringing the score to 3-0.

The ’Cats finally scored a run of their own in the sixth inning with a Coloma double to right center, scoring Jackson Snitko to make the score 3-1

The Sea Lions added one last run in the seventh inning to end the game with a second 4-1 final score.

Game 4:

Trying to close out the series with a win and avoid the sweep, the ’Cats came out with their bats on fire.

Early singles by Jesse Gadd and Brady Ranallo gave the ‘Cats a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

The ’Cats kept the pressure on, adding six runs in the second inning, led by  Snitko’s RBI single to make the score 9-0 in the third.

Not satisfied yet, the ’Cats scored again, adding two more runs in the third inning to extend their lead to 11-0.

Starter pitcher Jack Tews, along with five relievers, shut out the Sea Lions as the ’Cats stole the series finale 11-0.

Tews’ aggressive approach proved to be a successful strategy going into the final game of the series.

“Just tackle with the fastball. Go at them, be aggressive in the zone,” Tews said.

Tews explained that making adjustments was how the ’Cats were able to pull out the win.

“We’ve been all over the place, and today, everything came together,” Tews said. “The pitchers were shoving, and we figured it out with the bats. So this is just the team we are, and we’re gonna come out.”

Gadd was also a big part of the Wildcats’ win in the series finale, tallying three hits and five RBI’s for the ‘Cats. Gadd believed going back to basics was the key to having a big game.

“I feel like today, everyone came together as one. Had an approach, stay simple,” Gadd said. “Doing damage, hitting the ball hard on the ground. I’m a big guy, and I try to hit the ball hard, but that’s not always the play. We had to simplify.”

Gadd also believed that making adjustments for the final game was key for the ’Cats.

“I think everybody made the same adjustment I did, just stay shorter, keep it low,” Gadd said. “We haven’t had a lot of pop-ups in the past. So I think we did a really good job of keeping it low.”

The ’Cats start CCAA conference play in two weeks. Gadd’s biggest takeaway from this series is simply playing like a team.

“We lost the series, but conference is when it really starts,” Gadd said. “I feel like we kind of realize that you all come together as one, the sum of the parts is equal to more than just the individual. We’re worth more than just who we are as a person.”

The ’Cats begin another four-game series at Nettleton Stadium against the Western Oregon Wolves on Feb. 14th at 2 p.m.

Nettleton Stadium grants free entry with a Chico State student ID card or a student’s 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.

 Jamison Leung can be reached at [email protected]