JACOBO HITS FIRST HR OF SEASON, BUT HORNETS FALL 4-2 TO PORTLAND

3/7/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Gabe Jacobo went 2-for-4, including a two-run home run, but it was not enough, as the Hornets dropped a 4-2 decision to the Portland Pilots on Friday in the second day of the River City Classic at Hornet Field.

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 2-6 on the season, while the Pilots improve to 9-4.

The story of the game could be encapsulated in the third inning, where the Hornets, who were the designated visiting team in the tournament matchup, were unable to capitalize on a strong scoring opportunity, and the Pilots took advantage of their run scoring opportunities. With the Hornets at the plate in the top of the third, junior Blake Crosby doubled down the left field line, giving Sacramento State not only its first hit of the game, but a man in scoring position with nobody out in a 0-0 tie. Junior Lance Abbott, playing designated hitter in his first career game in the Green and Gold, then walked, giving the Hornets two aboard with nobody out. Following a failed bunt attempt and a strike out, junior Ryan Blair walked to load the bases with two down, but the Hornets were unable to put a run across the board.

In the bottom half of the inning, Portland was able to string together back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, which were followed by a successful sacrifice bunt, putting runners on second and third with one out. Following a walk which loaded the bases, Paul Crowder connected on a single to right field, scoring a run while keeping the bases loaded. The Pilots then earned two straight walks, which plated two more runs on the board, making the score 3-0, with the bases still loaded with one out. Freshman reliever Trevor Paine then came in and pitched well, inducing a sacrifice fly from Kevin Armijo and a flyout to end the inning with four runs crossing the board.

The two teams remained scoreless until the top of the eighth, as with two down in the innings, junior David Flores drew a walk, bringing Jacobo to the plate. Jacobo belted Pilot reliever Owen Jones' 0-1 offering over the fence in left-center field, collecting his first home run of the season, to pull the Hornets to within two at 4-2. But the comeback would end, as reliever Matthew Lange came into the game in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order to pick up the save.

Hornet junior started Nick Buchta (0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs on four hits, with four walks surrendered in 2.1 innings pitched. The final three pitchers of the game for the Hornets, freshman Trevor Paine, sophomore Tommy Elrod, and freshman Brandon Sandoval, did not allow a run across the board, allowing just six hits in 5.2 innings pitched. Paine was particularly impressive, spreading out five hits over three innings pitch, while surrender no walks and striking out a batter. For the season, Paine has not allowed a run in 3.2 innings pitched, while Elrod upped his season scoreless streak to three innings.

Ari Ronick picked up the win for the Pilots, improving his record to 1-1 on the season. Ronick allowed just two hits, while collecting six strike outs, all looking, in five innings pitched. Jones surrendered two runs on three hits in three innings of relief work, before giving way to Lange, who picked up his first save of the season.

The Hornets continue River City Classic action tomorrow, as they host Utah Valley, who was a 4-1 winner over BYU today, in an afternoon contest at 2 p.m.