Sacramento State’s games against Northern Colorado this weekend can be heard on www.hornetsports.com by clicking on the "Live/Audio" link and scrolling down to the baseball schedule.

The series will mark the first meeting between the two schools since Sacramento State joined the Div. I ranks in 1990.

This weekend''s games will also see the return of Northern Colorado head coach Kevin Smallcomb to Sacramento State. Smallcomb was the starting second baseman for Hornet head coach John Smith from 1981-82. Smallcomb, who ranks in the top-10 in the program career record books in walks, stolen bases and sacrifices, was a two-time all-Far West selection.

HEAD COACH JOHN SMITH

Since taking over the Sacramento State program in November of 1978, head coach John Smith has produced 18 winning seasons, including 12 years with at least 30 wins and four years with at least 40 wins.

In his 26th season as a head coach, he has posted 750 wins, ranking him among the top 60 active Division I coaches. The 750 victories and his 26-year tenure are also the most by any coach in Sacramento State baseball history. Smith''s current mark is 750-706.

Smith has led the team to four NCAA postseason appearances, winning two regional crowns and making two trips to the NCAA Div. II Championship. Smith was named American Baseball Coaches Association/NCAA Western Regional Coach of the Year twice, in 1986 and 1988.

A native of Redding, Calif., Smith spent three years in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret. He played collegiately at Sacramento State in 1971 and 1972 and began his coaching career the following season. After five seasons as the head coach at Encina HS in Sacramento, Smith took over the Hornet program in 1978.

Smith missed one game (UC Davis) and four days at the office after having successful back surgery on Feb. 9. He had a slipped disk in his lower back repaired after it was causing discomfort.

A LOOK AT THE LATEST ACTION

The Hornets finished 1-2 at Washington State (3-17, 3-1, 5-6) to conclude their 2004 road schedule.

In game one, the Cougars scored runs in seven of eight innings and recorded 17 runs on 18 hits.

In the second game, head coach John Smith earned his 750th career win and junior Ethan Katz increased his record to 8-5 with a 3-1 win.

In the finale, the Cougars tallied a run in the bottom of the ninth to win the series.

LIKE CLOCKWORK

After allowing four runs on 12 hits in a 4-3 loss to San Jose State on April 30, junior Ethan Katz rebounded with a 3-1 win over Washington State on May 9.

Against the Cougars, Katz allowed one run on eight hits while walking three and striking out two in 7.0 innings.

The right-hander has established an interesting pattern as the 2004 season has progressed.

Before his start against San Jose State, the Los Angeles native registered a 3-1 win over second-ranked Stanford after allowing one unearned run on four hits while walking four and striking out seven in 9.0 innings.

Prior to his start against Stanford, Katz had gone 0-3 with an 8.05 ERA in losses to UC Santa Barbara, Hawai''i-Hilo and Oregon State. During that span, he allowed 17 earned runs while walking 15 and striking out 13 in 19.0 innings.

Before his slide, Katz had won three-consecutive starts (San Francisco State, Cal Poly and Pacific) in which he went 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA, a shutout and two complete games. The right-hander allowed only four earned runs while walking six and striking out 27 in 26.1 innings.

If he stays on his current trend of starts, the right-hander might have some difficulty in his final start of the season.

A transfer from East Los Angeles JC, Katz leads the Hornet pitching staff with a 8-5 record, a 3.63 ERA, five complete games, one shutout, 104.0 innings pitched and 85 strikeouts.

GIMME SOME MOHR

Senior Andy Mohr has found a niche for himself on the Hornet pitching staff.

After serving primarily as a reliever in two years with the program, Mohr has become the No. 2 starter on the squad.

In three starts this season, the right-hander has a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA. His first collegiate victory was a 4-3 decision at Hawai''i-Hilo on April 10. In his second start, Mohr earned a no-decision in a 6-5 win at San Jose State on May 1.

In his most recent start, the senior registered another no-decision in a 6-5 loss to Washington State on May 10.

A LOOK AT THE HORNETS

This Week’s Probable Starters

Friday vs. Northern Colorado, May 14, 2:30 p.m.

M. Joyce (0-3, 7.46) vs. C. Ayers (8-2, 4.46)

Sunday vs. Northern Colorado, May 15, 1 p.m.

E. Katz (8-5, 3.63) vs. P. O''Neil (6-2, 4.74)

Monday at Washington State, May 16, 1 p.m.

A. Mohr (4-1, 5.32) vs. A. Telitz (4-3, 5.17)

ACHA AND JOHNSON HONORED

Senior John Acha and junior Craig Johnson moved into uncharted territory in the Hornet baseball program by being selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Baseball All-District first team.

It marked the first time a member of the program had been selected all-district since the program moved to the Div. I ranks in 1990.

Acha, a general management major with a 3.42 gpa, was named NCAA Div. I Independent Player of the Week (March 9) and was recently selected Hornet Male Senior Athlete of the Year.

Johnson, a psychology major with a 3.77 gpa, was named NCAA Div. I Independent Player of the Week (May 5) and Newcomer of the Week (March 31).

HOW LOW CAN HALL GO?

Junior Brandon Hall has silently made his way down the ERA ladder as the season has progressed.

Although he has not made as many appearances as most relievers, one must respect the efforts done in the amount of time given.

In 10 appearances this year, the left-hander is 1-0 with a team-low 1.42 ERA, 12.2 innings pitched, six walks and 12 strikeouts. His opponents batting average is .222.

Since posting a 4.50 ERA on March 30, Hall has not allowed a run in 8.2 innings.

JACK''S BACK

Senior Jack Arroyo has made his way up the offensive charts again after swinging a hot bat in the last two weeks.

Since April 30, the second baseman has batted .407 (11-27) with 10 runs, eight RBI, four home runs and three stolen bases.

Last week, Arroyo batted .500 (8-16) with four runs, five RBI, two home runs and two stolen bases. One of his bags was a straight steal of home in a 3-1 win over Washington State on May 9.

The Manteca, Calif., native is currently hitting .319 and leads the squad with 75 hits, 50 runs, eight home runs, 106 total bases and 16 stolen bases.

HORNET NOTABLES

Junior Pedro Santiago is batting .556 (5-9) in his last four games...seniors John Acha, Jack Arroyo, Andy Mohr and Renecke Stelzriede will compete in the final games of their Hornet careers...junior left fielder Travis Kassebaum is hitting .357 (5-for-17) in four starts this season...freshman Mick Joyce earned his first career save on May 9...junior Matt Wilson threw out a season-high two baserunners on May 9.