SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Pacific erased a three-run deficit and scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of eighth in an 8-7 win over Sacramento State on Tuesday afternoon at Klein Family Field.The Tigers improve to 25-20 on the year, while the Hornets fall to 20-28, suffering their fourth consecutive loss.
After falling behind 4-1 in the third inning, Sacramento State tied the game in the fourth after David Flores doubled to left field and Jim Strombach reached on a fielding error to lead off the inning. Brain Conradi’s sacrifice fly scored Flores and Strombach was able to reach home plate on a second Pacific error. The Hornets added their fourth run when senior Everet Rincon recorded a two-out single and stole second to get into scoring position for leadoff hitter Gary Johnson. Sacramento State’s starting second baseman tied the game with a one-run single down the right field line.
Montana Dye put Sacramento State ahead 7-4 with a three-run blast in the fifth. Pacific pitcher Eric Stolp surrendered a single to Flores and walked Strombach, setting up Dye for his fifth home run of the season.
The Tigers slowly chipped away at the deficit, scoring in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, while Pacific’s Steve Spurgeon held the Hornets hitless in four innings of work for the win.
Left fielder John Devany led the Tigers with a 2-for-3, four-RBI performance, including a two-run homer in the third. Adam Ching and Matt Berezay also recorded two hits apiece.
Sacramento State right-hander Billy Sinacori took the loss (3-2) pitching 1.1 innings and allowing one unearned run. The Hornets’ closer recorded to quick outs in the bottom of the eighth before giving up back-to-back singles. Pacific’s John Joines scored the game winner on a fielding error.
Flores, now batting .326 on the year, finished the game 2-for-3 with his team-leading 14th double of the year, while also scoring two runs.
Rincon, now on a three-game hitting streak and batting .274 on the year, finished 1-for-2 with two stolen bases, two runs and was walked once. The Hornets’ starting shortstop now leads the team with 12 stolen bags in 2006.
Sacramento State returns to the diamond tomorrow, hosting Stanford at 2:30 p.m. at Hornet Field. A live audio broadcast will be available on www.hornetsports.com with Dylan McKenzie providing the play-by-play. To access the broadcast, click the Live Audio link at the top of the page and scroll down to baseball.
