JACOBO HITS SECOND HOMER IN AS MANY DAYS, BUT BASEBALL FALLS TO UTAH VALLEY

3/8/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Gabe Jacobo hit his second home run in as many days, but the Sacramento State baseball team fell to the Utah Valley Wolverines by a score of 7-2 on Saturday, March 8 in River City Classic action at Hornet Field.

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 2-7 on the season, 1-2 in the River City Classic, while the Wolverines improve to 3-8-1 overall, and 2-1 in River City Classic play.

The Wolverines bats were hot from the start of the game, as Utah Valley pushed runs across in five of the first six innings of play. With the Wolverines leading 2-0 in the second, Jacobo lead off the home half of the inning with a deep home run to right center field, his second of the season and tournament, cutting the deficit to one run at 2-1.

Utah Valley was able to push two runs across in the third, one across in fifth, and two more runs in the sixth to take a 7-1 lead. The fourth inning, the only inning in which the Wolverines did not score a run over the stretch, was highlighted by a tremendous defensive play by junior shortstop Blake Crosby, who made a diving catch of a foul ball down the left field line.

The Hornets did mount a rally in the eighth, as senior Taylor Watanabe had a pinch-hit walk to lead off the inning, before stealing second base. He advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on a single by Jacobo to left field. With two on and one out, the Hornets were unable to score any additional runs, and were unable to produce any more runs in the ninth when they again had two runners on, but with two outs.

Sophomore Trevor York pitched 5.2 innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits, all earned, picking up the loss. Freshman Chris Baek had an impressive stint out of the ‘pen, allowing no runs on just two hits in 2.1 innings pitched with four strikes outs before giving way to junior Mike Weiss, who retired the Wolverines in order in the ninth. Jacobo led the Hornets at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, collecting two RBI on the day. Watanabe was 1-for-1 at the plate with a walk and a run scored in a relief role.

Aaron Brady picked up the win of Utah Valley, allowing two runs on five hits in eight innings of work, striking out six while walking three. Third baseman Jace Brinkerhoff went 3-for-5 at the plate while collecting three RBI, ending the contest just a home run shy of the cycle.

The Hornets close out the River City Classic with a 2 p.m. matchup against rival UC Davis on Sunday at Hornet Field.