HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay closed out its 2026 season with a 7-3 loss to Chico State on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field.
Chico State created separation early.
The Wildcats broke through with three runs in the third, stringing together timely hits to take the initial lead. They followed with another three-run inning in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run double that extended the margin. A run in the fifth pushed the advantage to 7-0 and forced East Bay to play from behind the rest of the way.
The Pioneers began to respond in the middle innings.
Gio Martini doubled to lead off the fifth and later scored on an RBI hit from William James to get East Bay on the board. The offense continued to apply pressure in the sixth, when Caleb Chance delivered an RBI single and Carson Cripe added a run-scoring ground out to trim the deficit to 7-3.
East Bay generated a few late opportunities and finished with 10 hits, but was unable to string together another rally over the final three innings.
Martini and James each collected two hits to lead the offense, while Chance, Cripe and James drove in runs.
On the mound, David Howard took the start before the bullpen combined to limit further damage after the early innings. East Bay settled in over the final four frames, holding Chico State scoreless the rest of the way.
Cal State East Bay concludes the season with a 22-28 overall record and 13-19 conference record.
