BASEBALL TIES GAME IN NINTH, BUT FALLS TO SAN JOSE STATE 5-4

3/16/2008

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Despite tying the score at 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, the Sacramento State baseball team fell to the San Jose State Spartans 5-4 on Sunday, March 16 at Municipal Stadium.

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 4-11, 1-3 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Spartans improve to 11-5, 3-1 in WAC play.

After the Spartans scored the first two runs of the contest in the bottom of the second, the Hornets tied the game up at 2-2 in the top of the fourth with a two out rally. Senior Ryan Blair connected on a triple, and was brought home on a single by sophomore Tim Wheeler, pulling the Hornets to within one. The tying run came from Wheeler, who scored on a double by senior Brian Boyd, his fourth of the year.

San Jose State rebounded in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs by doing what the team has done all season, manufacture base runners. The Spartans loaded up the bases on two hit by a pitch's and a walk, setting the table for Danny Stienstra, who connected on a RBI single, which was followed by a sacrifice fly by Jason Martin to give the Spartans the 4-2 advantage.

The Hornets got a run back quickly in the top of the sixth, as following a leadoff infield single by Wheeler, Boyd connected on a sacrifice bunt advancing Wheeler to second. Wheeler then stole third, and was brought home on a RBI groundout by junior Blake Crosby, making the score 4-3.

The score would remain that way until the top of the ninth, when senior David Flores connected on a one-out double, and was brought home on a RBI single from Blair. But the Spartans were able to take home the series victory, connecting on three singles in the bottom of the ninth, with the final one, coming off of the bat of Martin, scoring Karson Klauer, to give the Spartans the walkoff 5-4 victory.

Spartan reliever Ryan Shopshire (4-0) picked up the win, and a blown save, after allowing the Hornets to tie the game under his watch in the top of the ninth. He allowed one run on two hits in an inning pitched. Hornet junior reliever Jeff Roth (0-1), who picked up the save in Friday night's contest, was dealt the loss after allowing one run on four hits in 2.1 innings, striking out two batters while walking none.

The game's starters, Spencer Snodgrass and Hornet freshman Brandon Sandoval, did not make it out of the fifth inning. Snodgrass allowed two runs on four hits in four innings of work, while Sandoval allowed four runs, all earned, on just two hits, walking four while striking out two in 4.1 innings pitched. The Hornet outfield of Blair, Boyd and Wheeler each connected on two hits and a RBI in the loss, while Stienstra led the Spartans with two hits and a RBI, while Martin tallied two RBI.

The Hornets return to action on Tuesday, March 18 as they travel to Cal for a mid-week non-conference battle. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.