After a rain-soaked opening weekend that saw many games either postponed or cancelled all together, we’re hoping for much better weather this weekend as all five GNAC schools are in action. Here’s a quick preview of their upcoming series.
2024 Big Island Baseball Bash
Saint Martin’s (1-2) @ Hawaii Hilo (1-3) / Hawaii Pacific (4-0) / Chaminade (1-3)
- 3 @ Hawaii Hilo 2/8 DH, 2/11 – 2 @ Hawaii Pacific 2/9, 2/14 – 2 @ Chaminade 2/10, 2/13
- SMU: dropped 2 of 3 vs NAIA Eastern Oregon last weekend RECAP
- All three opponents played in the O’ahu Baseball Classic last weekend
- Hawaii Pacific swept Cal State LA and Cal State East Bay
- Hawaii Hilo and Chaminade each went 1-1 against Cal State LA, lost both games versus Cal State East Bay
- PNW JC transfers on Hawaii Hilo: Trent Jackson (Centralia College), Bryce Lindberg (Shoreline CC), JP Tilley (Centralia College), Ethan Salscheider (Pierce College / Olympic College)
- PNW JC transfers on Chaminade: Max Peterson (Olympic College), Mac Elske (Lower Columbia), Brayden Wells (Lower Columbia), Jackson Dorn (Mt. Hood)
Western Oregon (season opener) @ Westmont (1-2-1) / San Francisco State (2-1)
- 2 games @ Westmont College 2/9, 2/10 – 2 games @ SFST 2/10, 2/11
- WOU: Opener at Fresno Pacific was cancelled last weekend due to weather
- About Westmont: 1st year as D2 school (2023 NAIA champ), split opening day DH vs. Regis (CO) before rebounding for their first win on 2023 NAIA World Series Ring Ceremony Night
- About SFST: Took two of three from MSUB
- PNW JC transfers on Westmont: Michael Soper (Linn-Benton), Finn Snyder (Umpqua)
Central Washington (0-2) @ Cal State San Bernardino (3-0)
- 4-game series: 2/8, DH 2/9, 2/10
- CWU: Lost season opening DH vs, NAIA British Columbia RECAP
- About CSUSB: Swept season opener vs Colorado Christian, outscoring CCU 34-10
- PNW JC transfers on CSUSB: Takuto Katoka (Edmonds College), Riley Parker (Bellevue College), Devyn Hernandez (Spokane CC), Dylan O’Connor (Bellevue College), Wyatt Hall (Skagit Valley)
Montana State Billings (1-2) @ Chico State (season opener):
- 3-game series: DH 2/8, 2/9
- MSUB: Dropped two of three against SFSU. Game 1 saw Betancourt dominate on the mound, tossing seven innings for the win. Flynn fueled the offense with 3 hits and 2 runs. Game 3 featured Nehler’s power surge, blasting 2 homers and driving in 4 runs despite the loss.
- About Chico State: No games played in 2024. 19-25 overall, 13-21 conf in 2023
- PNW JC transfers on Chico State: Caden Reitzenstein (Clark College), Ryan Escover (Shoreline CC)
Northwest Nazarene (1-1) @ Stanislaus State (2-0)
- 4-game series: 2/8, DH 2/9, 2/10
- NNU: Split two games vs #21 Point Loma winning Friday night, 5-4. The Nighthawks overcame an early deficit and tied the game twice before taking the lead in the 9th on a triple by Bryan Rojas. However, Point Loma bounced back Saturday, erupting for 6 runs in the 6th inning to defeat NNU 8-4. Carter Walsh and Bryan Rojas delivered three hits a piece.
- About Stanislaus: Took both games of opening day doubleheader against Menlo College