SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento State baseball team fell to the visiting San Francisco Dons by a score of 12-4 on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Hornet Field.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 1-2 on the season, while the Dons improve to 3-2.
San Francisco started the game off swinging the bat well, as they score a run in the top of the second inning, and five more in the top of the third to take a 6-0 lead. The biggest blow from the six runs came on a three-run homer by Kyle Morgan to deep right center in the third. The Hornets would strike back, however, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third, as senior Gabe Jacobo doubled home fellow senior Taylor Watanabe, and senior David Flores crossed the plate on a RBI groundout by sophomore Tim Wheeler, making the score 6-2.
But the Dons were too much for the Hornets on the day, as they scored five more runs, one in the fourth and four in the fifth, to take over the outcome for good. Sacramento State did have two more scoring innings, as Jacobo singled home Watanabe in the fifth inning and then brought home sophomore Joe España on a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Jacobo finished the day 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, while Flores was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Watanabe was 1-for-2 on the day, but scored both times he reached base, on a bunt single and a walk. España and junior Hunter Martinez both collected hits in their first career at bats off the Hornet bench.
Morgan led the way for the Dons with a 1-for-1 performance at the plate, while driving in three, scoring three runs, and collecting two walks. Dane Braunecker finished 2-for-4 at the dish with two RBI and three runs scored. Lefty Evan Frederickson (1-1) picked up the win, allowing three runs, all earned, on five hits with nine k’s and two walks in five innings of work. Alex Kalogrides, Jonathan Abramson, Sean Burns and Garrett Luippold combined for four innings of relief work, and allowed just three hits and a lone run between them, while striking out four.
Freshman Brandon Sandoval (0-1) picked up the loss for the Hornets, allowing five runs, four of which were earned, on three hits, walking three batters in 2.1 innings pitched. In order, freshman Tommy Elrod, junior Eric Fregosi, freshman Doug Stinson and senior Ryan Magee allowed just one run over the final 4.1 innings pitched. They combined to allow only three Dons to reach base, while striking out six.
The Hornets return to action this weekend, as they face No. 2 ranked Arizona in a non-conference three-game set. Action begins in Tucson on Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by day games at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
