CHICO, Calif. – Ninth-ranked Chico State scored three runs in the first three innings and added two more in the seventh to hold off visiting Montana State Billings Monday afternoon for a 5-4 victory.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fell to 5-6 overall, while the Wildcats improved to 8-1. 

“We played well again, but they made pitches late in the game when they needed to,” MSUB head coach Rob Bishop said.  “It is always disappointing to lose a series, but I am really encouraged by how our guys are competing in all facets of the game.”

Despite losing the series, the Yellowjackets showed they could challenge and lead one of the top programs in the country.  CSU won the three games by a total of eight runs showing how far the Yellowjacket program has come since Bishop was hired in August.

Senior Jordan Kessler led the way offensively for the Jackets going 2 for 4 with two RBI.  Sophomore Colby Robison continued his torrid start to the season going 2 for 4 with a run scored. 

The Wildcats opened the scoring in the first inning off Yellowjacket starter junior Brian Hutchings. A RBI ground out and an infield single scored the first two runs.  The Wildcats added a run in the second on a sacrifice bunt for a 3-0 lead.

The Yellowjackets looked as if they had something going in the fourth as they had two men in scoring position with one out, but a inning-ending double play killed the potential threat.

In the top of the sixth, senior Jeff Ridgeway led the inning off with a double and later scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 score.  Kessler singled up the middle plating the second run of the inning for a 3-2 score.

Two RBI doubles by the Wildcats in the seventh planted two runs for a 5-2 lead.  The Yellowjackets continued to fight and were helped out by two Chico State miscues in the eighth.  Freshman Dillon Ness singled up the middle to get things started.  Robison followed with a single and Kessler drove home Ness and Robison on the second error for a 5-4 deficit with one out.

With the tying run at second, the Wildcats made a call to the bullpen in favor of reliever Juan Guerra who hit his first batter, followed by two strikeouts to get out of the jam and preserve the lead.

Hutchings (2-1) takes the loss going six innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs and one walk, while striking out four.  Senior Brian Howe pitched the final two innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs and he fanned two. 

Guerra earned his fourth save of the season. 

The Yellowjackets head to the College of Idaho for a doubleheader scheduled for Mar. 3 beginning at 12 p.m.