POMONA—In winning the first of a critical four-game series at Cal Poly Pomona dripping with postseason implications the Chico State baseball team played like it not only plans to make the postseason but make a run at something special when it gets there.
Grant Larson allowed just one run and pitched into the eighth and Alex DeVito delivered two important hits, including the go-ahead three-run homer, as the Wildcats won 5-1 Friday night at Scolinos Field.
With its fourth straight win and seventh in the last eight games, Chico State (28-17 overall and 24-15 in the CCAA) moved to within two wins of clinching a CCAA Tournament berth with five to play, beginning with Saturday's double-dip at Pomona. The series concludes with a single game Sunday. The Wildcats can also clinch Saturday with one win and loss by either Sonoma State or San Francisco State, or two losses by either of those teams.
Friday's victory, and the remainder of the series, also has NCAA Championship Tournament implications. The Wildcats entered the weekend ranked No. 7 in the West and Cal Poly Pomona No. 8. Six teams from the West will wind up in the NCAA Tournament.
Alex DeVito is 18-for-43 (.419) with three home runs and 20 RBIs in the
past 10 games. He went 2-for-4 and cracked a three-run homer Friday.
Cal Poly Pomona dipped to 23-20 overall and 20-17 in the CCAA.
DeVito went 2-for-4 and also hit a ball to the wall in his first at-bat. The designated hitter came to the plate in the third after Cameron Santos had tied the game with a line single to right. That plated Kyle Blakeman, who was hit by a pitch with one down and moved to third on Louie Canjura's base hit.
DeVito cleared the bases, hooking a long home run around the foul pole down the left-field line for a 4-1 lead. It was DeVito's team-leading seventh home run of the season and RBIs eight, nine, and 10 in the past four games. In the past 10 games, the transfer from LA Mission College is 18-for-43 (.419) with three home runs and 20 runs batted in.
He hit a leadoff single in the sixth ahead of Tyler Stofiel's RBI-double that made it 5-1.
Meanwhile, Larson was magnificent. The sophomore southpaw scattered six hits across seven and a third innings of work. He struck out four and walked one in moving to 5-2 on the season.
Anthony Baleto got the final five outs of the game in relief, allowing only a two-out single in the ninth. His next appearance will be the 50th of his career, matching him with his teammate from last season, Stuart Bradley, for 10th most in Chico State baseball history.
Blakeman nearly extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a home run in the seventh but the ball sailed just foul. He then flew out to center field. He has reached base in 15 straight.
Canjura's base hit extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
Saturday's games and Sunday's finale will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for noon, and Sunday's game will start at 11 a.m.
The Wildcats will wrap up the regular season on May 4 at home against Stanislaus State. That doubleheader will get started at 2 p.m.
