By Jessica Bracamontes |Staff Writer|
The Coyotes improved to a 17–12 overall record after defeating the 15th ranked Chico State Wildcats in three out of four games April 5–7.
Timely hitting and quality pitching played a major role in the Coyotes’ victories. The series began with the Coyotes losing to the Wildcats by a score of 9–1.
Senior Darren Dworak scored the Coyotes’ only run on a monstrous solo shot in the second inning. The players kept their confidence and did not allow the poor offensive output spoil the rest of the weekend. The Coyotes were able to turn things around by playing smart, focused and team oriented ball as they swept both games.
“Everyone plays a part in the wins and losses,” said first baseman Brandon Day. The Coyotes cruised to victory in the first game of the doubleheader, as they pounded out nine runs in a well deserved win and made it back-to-back victories in a nailbiter by a score of 7–6.
The Coyotes took a 2–0 lead in the second inning as game one of the doubleheader began. They then proceeded to blow the game open in the sixth inning by scoring four runs and putting the game out of reach. Junior Mike Mudron threw seven stellar innings, allowing just three hits and giving up only one run.
The second game was much more dramatic than the first. The Coyotes and Wildcats battled on in the second game of the doubleheader. The Wildcats were the first to take the lead, as they hit a grand slam in the first inning.
Resiliency kept the Coyotes’ players up, as they were able to bounce back, scoring two runs in the second, and followed by four runs in the third.
Day explained how the 7–6 victory took contributions from each guy on the team. “Everyone played a good part and we came back to win the game,” said Day.
Game four was another game that tested the Coyotes and their will to win with their backs against the wall, as they began the game trailing once more. It was not until Eshleman stepped into the batter’s box and hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning that the Coyotes were able to get on the scoreboard
The Coyotes battled back and forth for the remainder of the game, until they were able to pull off a dramatic victory thanks to Eshleman’s big bat which knocked in the winning run in walk off fashion, giving the Coyotes a 4–3 victory.
“The season is going really well. We had some rough series early in the season and it’s how you can bounce back,” said Day.
Photos Courtesy of Matt Gilford
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