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BASEBALL DEFEATED BY CAL, 10-4
4/17/2007
 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — David Flores and Wes Oberlin each had two hits to lead Sacramento State but California took advantage of some early opportunities en route to a 10-4 on Tuesday at Hornet Field.
The Golden Bears evened their record at 19-19 with the win while the Hornets fell to 10-27.
Each team substituted liberally throughout the game, throwing five pitchers apiece. Sacramento State also used 16 position players while Cal used 15.
The Hornets began the game with senior Billy Sinacori on the mound. Sinacori, who had not started since 2004, responded by holding the Golden Bears hitless in three innings of work. However, the Auburn, Calif., native was saddled with a tough-luck loss as Cal scored one run in the third inning and never relinquished the lead.
In the third, Michael Brady was hit by pitch to lead things off. He moved to second on a ground out and later advanced to third as Charlie Cutler’s ground ball which was mishandled at second base. Sacramento State nearly got out of the inning without damage but Patrick Cummins’ relay through to first base on a double-play attempt was ruled too late allowing Brady to score from third.
Cal stretched its lead over the next three innings, scoring three in the fourth, two in the fifth and two more in the sixth.
The Hornets posted their first two runs in the sixth inning behind a bases-loaded single from Oberlin which scored Cummins and wild pitch which allowed Taylor Watanabe to cross the plate.
Oberlin picked up his second hit of the game in the eighth inning and scored from first base on a triple from Montana Dye. The senior, who was pinch hitting, drove a ball to center which carried to the wall before ricocheting past the center fielder. Dye did not hesitate around the bases to pick up his third triple of the season.
The team’s final run came in the ninth inning. Brian Joyce doubled down the left field line before taking third and eventually scoring on a pair of wild pitches.
Cal’s Travis Erickson improved to 1-1 with the win. Sinacori is also 1-1 after the loss.
The Hornets will return to Western Athletic Conference play on Friday as the team travels to San Jose State for a three-game series. Friday’s game will begin at 6 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday’s contests will start at 1 p.m.
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