Chico State Wins NCAA Division II West Region Title

Jan 1, 2000

Release courtesy – Luke Reid, Chico State Sports Information Dept.

LA JOLLA – Please excuse the Chico State baseball team for being a bit impatient. After all, the Wildcats have waited a whole year to get their mits on that NCAA Baseball West Region Championship trophy. "Where's the trophy? Bring out the trophy!" Head Coach Dave Taylor and many of his players joked when the dogpile following the Wildcats' 3-1 win against UC San Diego dispersed.

Eventually they seized the beautiful wood and glass symbol of their sensational accomplishment and soaked in the moment, whooping, hollering and hugging all the while.

"These guys are special to me," said Taylor when asked about his own leap into the dogpile's fray. "They're my players but they'll be good friends of mine down the road as well. This is a moment that will last forever."

The pain of a year ago was still fresh in the back of Taylor's mind he admitted during the postgame press conference. The Wildcats were one win away from the regional title last season before losing twice to Grand Canyon on the final day.

Now all of his aches and pains are strictly dogpile related.

The Wildcats will open up their ninth Division II College World Series campaign in the last 18 years Saturday at 2 p.m., Pacific Time, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. They'll face the winner of the Southeast Region, which is the only one yet to finish. Top-seeded Lander and #3 seed Columbus State didn't start their first game Sunday until 6:45 due to inclement weather. Columbus State's walkoff win forced a second game that didn't start until 11:05 p.m.

The Wildcats will enjoy Sunday's win while awaiting word of their opponent.

Robert Hook threw three and two-thirds innings of relief for his second win against UC San Diego in as many days. West Region Tournament Most Valuable Player Luke Barker threw a scoreless ninth for his fourth save in as many days and school-record 18^th of the season as Chico State improved to 43-13.

UCSD concludes the season at 38-16 overall.

Ruben Padilla doubled and Eric Angerer came around to score when the center fielder bobbled the ball against the fence in left-center for the Wildcats' first run of the day in the third inning. They took the lead in the seventh when Angerer's grounder went through the wickets of Tritons' second baseman Eric Lewis, allowing Cody Slader to score the go-ahead run. Angerer then drew a throw to first base on a designed play and Ryne Clark raced home from third to score the final run of the day.

Chico State starter Alex Mistuloff went four and a third scoreless innings, working out of trouble in each frame.

Barker got Lewis to ground out to second to end the game and the dogpile ensued. He's hoping that it happens one more time.

"The plane ticket that we just won is not the reason we came to Chico State," said Barker. "We came to Chico State to get a ring."

Seven individuals from the Chico State squad were named to the 2014 All-tournament team, including catcher Peter Miller, first baseman Eric Angerer, shortstop Cody Slader, outfielder Connor Huesers, outfielder Danny Miller, pitcher Robert Hook, and pitcher Luke Barker. Tritons named to the team were second baseman Erik Lewis, third baseman Troy Cruz, outfielder Justin Rahn, designated hitter Nick La Face, and an at-large selection Brandon Shirley.

Click here to view postgame interview with head coach Dave Taylor, Robert Hook, and tournament MVP Luke Barker.