David Del Grande scored and had an RBI but the Hornets lost, 6-2, at UCLA.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Sacramento State baseball team tallied eight hits against the Bruins on Saturday afternoon but scored just twice as the Hornets lost, 6-2, to No. 24 ranked UCLA at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The Hornets (4-6) had eight players get one hit each and pushed across single runs in the second and ninth innings. The Bruins (7-3) also scored in just two innings, but put up three runs in both the first and seventh.
Sacramento State starting pitcher Tanner Mendonca, who entered the game with a 0.52 ERA and a 2-0 record, gave up three runs on three hits in the first inning but surrendered just four hits over the next five innings. The sophomore took the loss after allowing three runs allowed on seven hits in six innings with three strikeouts and three walks.
UCLA starter Nick Vander Tuig earned the win and went eight strong, allowing just one run on six hits with seven strikeouts. The Bruins' two starting pitchers in the series thus far have accumulated 16 strikeouts.
The Hornets got to Vander Tuig in the second inning when David Del Grande reached on a dropped fly ball to right and advanced to second. Justin Higley laced a single through the right side to bring home Del Grande but Vander Tuig forced a pop out and ground out to end the inning.
UCLA brought on Shane Zeile for the ninth inning and the Hornets chased him before he could get an out. Andrew Ayers and Trevor Paine hit back-to-back singles to start the inning and the Bruins pulled Zeile for Ryan Deeter. Del Grande hit a fielder's choice grounder to short to score Ayers but a double play ball in the next at-bat ended the game.
The Hornets and Bruins will meet at 1 p.m. tomorrow for the final game of the series.
