CHICO, Calif. – The Broncos have yet to win a game on the road this season, having gone winless at The Master's and now down three games to none in the series against Chico State. With both losses of the doubleheader on Saturday, the CPP baseball team is now 6-10 on the season and 0-6 on the road, while sitting at sixth place in the CCAA standings with a 3-4 conference record.
 
The one bright spot for the Broncos has been senior outfielder Brent Cota, who is hitting a blistering 8-for-13 (.615) in the series, after turning in an eight-hit weekend last week as well. His .593 conference batting average is by far the best in the CCAA, sitting 64 points higher than the next closest player. He extends his hit streak to eight straight games, racking up 17 hits in that span.
 
 
Game 1: CPP 3, CHICO 4
Despite a strong start and a late push, Cal Poly Pomona fell just short in a 4-3 loss to No. 20 Chico State on Saturday afternoon at Nettleton Stadium.
 
The Broncos wasted no time getting on the board, striking first in the opening frame. Brent Cota led off with a single and later crossed home on a Marco Malerba RBI groundout, giving CPP an early 1-0 advantage. The Broncos tacked on another run in the third when Julian Angulo delivered a clutch two-out RBI single to right field, once again scoring Cota to extend the lead to 2-0.
 
Starting pitcher Tyler Reiter (0-3) was in control through four scoreless innings, but Chico State broke through in the fifth, scoring all of their runs in the one frame. The Wildcats strung together four runs on five hits, highlighted by a two-out, two-run double that gave them the lead.
 
The Broncos refused to go quietly, cutting the deficit to one in the eighth. Cota, who was a bright spot with a 4-for-5 performance, scored his third run of the game on a fielder's choice by Malerba. However, Chico State's bullpen shut the door in the ninth, as the Broncos stranded the tying run on first base.
 
Despite outhitting the Wildcats 11-10, CPP couldn't capitalize on key opportunities. Reiter battled through seven innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts while taking his third loss of the season. Andrew Campbell tossed a perfect eighth in relief on 10 pitches.
 
 
Game 2: CPP 5, CHICO 6 (8 innings)
The Broncos lost in heartbreaking fashion in the nightcap of the doubleheader, as the Wildcats hit a walk-off home run in extra innings to claim the series. Cal Poly Pomona collected nine hits and battled back multiple times, but ultimately a missed offensive opportunity in the top of the eighth inning proved to be the difference.
 
The Broncos got on the board early again with an Angulo double down the right field line, scoring Malerba to give CPP an early 1-0 lead. However, Chico State responded in the second, capitalizing on a two-run double and a costly error to plate four runs and take control.
 
Trailing 4-1, the Broncos chipped away in the fourth when Anthony Gibbons scored on an error. Chico State answered in the bottom half with a run of their own, extending its lead to 5-2.
 
Cal Poly Pomona continued to show resilience, striking for two more runs in the fifth. Brent Cota delivered an infield single to score Beau Betten, and Angulo followed with an RBI single to left center to bring CPP back within one. Cota came through again in the sixth, ripping an RBI double to right field to tie the game at 5-5 for his seventh hit of the day.
 
With momentum on CPP's side, the Broncos held Chico State scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings. In the top of the eighth, CPP loaded the bases with just one out, but back-to-back strikeouts would end the threat. In the bottom of the eighth with two outs, a Chico State pinch hitter launched a walk-off home run to right field for their third win in as many games against the Broncos.
 
Reigning west region pitcher of the week Dylan Esquival threw 5.0 innings in his start, allowing four earned runs and striking out seven with just two free passes. Anthony Vasquez pitched 2.2 innings in relief, taking his first loss as a Bronco.
 
 
Up Next
The Broncos will close out the series tomorrow, March 2^nd, at 11:00 AM. Forecasted rain in the Chico area could be a challenge for the series finale, so make sure to visit the 2025 baseball schedule and @cppbroncos on social media for the latest news.
 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are now 45-73 (.388) all-time against Chico State, including 2-8 in their past 10 games.
• Randy Betten is now 422-276 (.605) as head coach of the Broncos and 299-196 (.604) in CCAA play.
• Betten remains 25 CCAA wins away from tying John Scolinos (324) for the most in program history.
• The last time the Broncos were 6-10 through their first 16 games was 1982. At this point last season, the Broncos were 7-9.
• The second game of the doubleheader was the first time the Broncos have ever lost an eight-inning game under Randy Betten. They had been 7-0 in such games entering Saturday.
• Record Watch - Pappas is third all-time in runs scored with 151. Tom Weeks (1984-87) currently holds the program record at 168.