BOX SCORE
CHICO, Calif. --- Daniel Code went 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs to lead NCAA Division II No. 11-ranked Chico State to a 12-5 win over Biola University in a non-conference game on Thursday evening at Nettleton Stadium in Chico.
The Wildcats, who are odds-on favorites to reach the NCAA Division II World Series for the eighth time in the last 10 years, improve to 30-7 with the win while the Eagles fall to 21-14.
Chris Foreman led the way offensively for Biola, going 3-for-4 on the day to raise his batting average to a team-best .446. Jason Gonzalez came off the bench to go 2-for-2 with a double and four RBIs.
The Eagles got the jump on Chico with a run in the top of the third inning as Bobby Slater drive in Hawkins Gebbers with an RBI single, putting runners at the corners with no one out. However, Slater was picked off first base and Foreman was thrown out at home on a grounder to second base to end the threat.
But the Wildcats came back with three in the bottom of the inning. Chico opened the frame by loading the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. A sacrifice fly tied the game, followed by RBI-singles by Aaron Demuth and Danny Pignataro.
In the fourth, Biola chose to intentionally walk Edgar Sedano to put runners at first and second with two out, but Code made them pay with a two-RBI double to right center. He then scored on a single by Demuth on the next pitch.
The Eagles trailed 9-1 going into the seventh, but closed the gap with a two-run double to left by Gonzalez, who pinch hit for Slater.
But Chico tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame to seal the deal.
Biola cot a pair of runs in the ninth on another two-run hit by Gonzalez, this time a single to center to plate Tim Wells and Gebbers.
Tom Glassman (0-1) was touched up for six earned runs on eight hits in four innings, drawing the loss in his first start for the Eagles in 2007.
Billy Spottiswood ran his record to 7-2 as he allowed just one run on six hits over six innings to earn the victory for Chico.
The two teams continue their three-game series on Friday (Apr. 6) at 4:00 p.m.
