Junior Brett Flowers went 3-for-3 with two RBI while the Hornet bullpen held the Aztecs scoreless for 5 1/3 innings to lead the Sacramento State baseball team to a 6-5 win over San Diego State in the Hornets’ 2004 season opener, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Sacramento State is now 1-0 on the year while San Diego State fell to 3-3.
Sacramento State jumped out to an early 3-0 in the top of the first inning when senior Jack Arroyo led off with a single up the middle and then stole second. After Arroyo advanced on a wild pitch, junior Craig Johnson homered to left-center field to make it 2-0. In the next at-bat, junior John Acha hit a towering drive over the center field wall to end the Hornet scoring for the inning.
San Diego State answered in the bottom of the inning when Rielly Embree drove a ball over the right field wall after a lead off walk by Landon Burt and a walk to James Guerro.
The Hornets made it 4-3 in the top of the third after a sacrifice fly by Flowers to right field. Johnson led off the inning with a single and then advanced to second on an error by Burt in center. After Johnson advanced to third on a ground out by Acha, Flowers hit a drive to right to drive in the run.
The Aztecs took their first lead of the contest in the bottom of the fourth after RBI singles by Jake McLintock and Jordan Swaydan.
Sacramento State took the lead for good (6-5) in the top of the seventh when Acha drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Flowers recorded the eventual game-winner with an RBI single. Juniors Kyle Aure and Ronnie Machado, Jr. each led off the inning with a walk before advancing to third on a bunt single by Arroyo. After Johnson struck out looking, Acha hit a drive to right field to tie the game. In the next at-bat, Flowers drove in Machado, Jr. with a base hit to center.
Senior Renecke Stelzriede (1-0) earned the win after allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out one in 2 1/3 innings. Freshman Billy Sinacori tallied his first collegiate save by pitching a perfect ninth inning. Sophomore Mel Cuckovich also added two shutout innings to contribute to the win.
Drew Jenson (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out three in four innings of relief.
Arroyo and Johnson each finished 2-for-4 at the plate to contribute to the Hornet offense.
Sacramento State and San Diego State will face off again on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m. before completing the three-game series on Sunday, Feb. 1, at noon. The Hornets will host their home opener against San Francisco on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m.
