Torrid Chico Routs Vigilantes

The Chico Heat got 12 hits and cruised to a 12-0 victory over the Vigilantes in a Western League game Monday night in Chico.

Tim Cooper hit a home run and had three runs batted in and Levi Funderburk and Terrel Hansen each had two RBIs for host Chico (9-1), which leads the Southern Division by 3 1/2 games over Sonoma County.

Chris Neier (2-0), Lucas Fitzgerald and Brian Wisler combined on a five-hitter for Chico.

Chico led, 4-0, through four innings before breaking the game open with five runs in the fifth.

Mission Viejo (3-7) begins a three-game series today at Reno (7-3), which leads the Northern Division.