ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  Sonoma State smashed five home runs, none bigger than a three-run shot by Ian Bridges with two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the ninth on Monday as the Seawolves swept Chico State 5-3 and 11-10 in an important CCAA doubleheader.   The sweep gives the Seawolves a series split following Saturday's losses at Chico.  The 15th-ranked Seawolves improve to 26-11, 18-10 CCAA.  The Wlidcats see their post-season hopes get dealt a crushing blow as they fall to 24-19, 14-14 CCAA.

Over the past few years it has become tradition at Seawolf Diamond to play "You Dropped A Bomb On Me", a 1982 hit by The Gap Band, after every Sonoma State home run.  With just 13 home runs all season long heading in to Monday's twinbill, fans, coaches, and players thought that the 'bomb' had not been 'dropped' nearly enough.  Ian Bridges, Kyle Jones, and Ryan Stevens made sure to change that.

Game one started off well for the Seawolves as they crossed the plate four times in the first inning, two of them coming in on a two-run home run by Bridges.  The Wildcats would get a pair back with single runs in the second and third before Sonoma surged again with a Joe Slater RBI single in the fourth.

Morgan Rodriguez improved to 4-0 on the season, striking out five and allowing two runs in five innings of work.  Taylor Lewis did a nice job in relief, allowing just three hits and no runs in 3 2/3 innings.  He earned his fourth save of the year.  Slater, Kris Haycock, and Danny Pignataro- a late game replacement who had a pair of doubles- led the Seawolf efforts with two hits apiece.

Jordan Lindebaum was tagged with the loss.  Relief pitcher Mike Robbins was strong, allowing no runs in 4 2/3 innings. Kyle Eveland, Kevin Seaver, and Jimmy Dodos each had two hits for the 'Cats.

In game two, the Wildcats looked as if they'd roll to a win as they opened up a 9-2 lead after four and a half innings, thanks in large part to a grand slam from Bret Ringer.  In the bottom of the fifth, the Seawolves began their comeback, plating four runs including a three-run homer off the bat of Kyle Jones. 

Jones would not be done there.  The Seawolf sophomore had the game of his career, knocking two home runs, a double, driving in five, and wiping several Chico runs off the board with a pair of magnificent catches in center field. 

Trailing 10-7 in the bottom of the ninth, Austin Hogans was walked to lead off the inning, then, with one out, was moved over to second on an infield single by Cameron Cook.  After a strikeout moved the Seawolves to within one out of defeat, Ian Bridges walked to the plate for some ninth inning theatrics.  After fouling off several pitches, Bridges pounded a high, soaring fly ball to left field that cleared the fence and the bases, tying it up at ten.

In the tenth, Nick Ramos and Leo Avila walked, setting up Cameron Cook, who singled down the right field line to produce the game-winning run and set off an enthusiastic celebration on the field.

Cook would finish 4-for-6 in the game and Jones finished 3-for-5 with a pair of homers and five RBIs.  Bridges was 2-for-5 with three RBIs as well.  Brian Flint got the win in relief, tossing three brilliant no-hit innings. 

Ringer drove in five runs for the Wildcats, in a 2-for-5 day.  Ivan Gonzalez was charged with the loss.

The Seawolves will look to carry Monday's momentum over to this weekend's home series with Cal State San Bernardino.  Game one is on Friday at 2:00 pm.

Game One Box
Game Two Box