CHICO, Calif. – Chico State defeated Cal State Monterey Bay 18-2 on Thursday, the first of a four-game CCAA baseball series this weekend at Nettleton Stadium. The Wildcats pounded out 24 hits,  just one shy of tying their school record of 25.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 19 in the latest Division II poll, won their fifth straight game to improve to 18-7 overall, 7-5 in CCAA play. Monterey Bay drops to 7-19, 5-12 in conference.

Chico State put runs on the scoreboard in each of the first six innings, including three in the second and four in the third to give the Wildcats a comfortable 8-0 lead, but the game was put out of reach when the 'Cats scored seven runs in the fifth inning.

Monterey Bay used three pitchers in the game with starter #Daniel Bifano# taking the loss to drop to 1-5 on the season. Bifano pitched two and a third innings, allowing five runs on five hits. #Michael Trump# gave up eight runs on seven hits in two innings and #Ron Duer# pitched the final three and two-thirds, allowing five runs on 12 hits.

Pete Mickartz picked up his seventh win of the season against one loss, allowing one run on five hits in six innings of work. He struck out six and walked two. Austin Bellanich recorded his first save of the year, pitching three innings of relief, giving up one run on two hits.

The same two teams are back in action with a doubleheader beginning tomorrow at noon.