RAMIREZ SHINES ON MOUND AND HORNET BATS ERUPT IN 16-2 WIN OVER BYU

3/6/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Jose Ramirez pitched six innings of shutout ball, before giving way to a 12-run Hornet seventh inning, as Sacramento State defeated BYU by a score of 16-2 on Thursday, March 6, during the River City Classic Baseball Tournament at Hornet Field.

With the win, the Hornets improve to 2-5, while the Cougars fall to 5-6.

Ramirez controlled the game in its early goings, as the Cougars showed signs of wear, starting their third contest in less than 20 hours. Ramirez faced the minimum through the first 2.2 innings of work before surrendering a hit in the top of the third. He allowed just three more hits in his remaining 3.1 innings of work, which included getting out a bases loaded two-out jam in the top of the sixth, striking out his sixth batter of the contest to retire the side.

The Hornet bats struck early, as senior Ryan Blair connected on a solo homer in the first inning to right field, which cleared the 20 foot wall, located 10 feet beyond the outfield fence, to give the Hornets the 1-0 advantage. The advantage grew to 2-0 in the bottom of the second, as senior Wes Oberlin singled to lead off the inning, then reach third on a great bit of baserunning on a single by junior Blake Crosby, before coming around to score on a wild pitch.

Sacramento State then was quiet offensively until the bottom of the fifth, as junior Gabe Jacobo doubled to right field, scoring senior David Flores, stole third base, and then was brought in on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Tim Wheeler, making the score 4-0.

Then came the seventh inning, when the Hornets scored 12 runs to open up the game. 16 Hornet batters came to the plate in the inning, as Flores led the way with a single and a double, along with two RBI and two runs scored in the inning. Jacobo had a two-run double and a run scored in the inning, while Blair added two singles and two runs scored.

BYU was able to push two runs across the board in the top of the eighth against Hornet relievers, but were unable to mount any more of a rally.

Ramirez picked up his first career win, throwing six innings of scoreless baseball while allowing just four hits, striking out six Cougars. Nelson Castleberry picked up the loss, allowing four runs, all earned in 4.1 innings, allowing five hits while walking five batters.

Each of the Hornets nine offensive starters scored at least one run, with five Hornets touching home plate at least two times. Eight Hornets, including seven of the offensive starters, had RBI in the game. The 16 runs were the most scored by a Hornet club since April 8, 2006, a 19-7 victory at New Mexico State.

In other River City Classic action, Portland defeated Utah Valley 4-3 and took down UC Davis 11-10 on a three-run rally in the top of the ninth to hold the Tournament lead at 2-0. The Hornets are currently in second place with a 1-0 mark, while BYU moved to 1-1, defeating San Jose State 2-0 in the early game in Sacramento. Utah Valley and San Jose State will look for their first tournament win tomorrow. The Wolverines will face off against BYU in the morning game in Sacramento at 10 a.m., while the Spartans face UC Davis at 2 p.m. in Davis. The Hornets will face off against Portland at 2 p.m. at Hornet Field in the only other tournament game scheduled for Friday.