BASEBALL WINS FIRST EVER WAC TOURNEY GAME WITH 8-5 TRIUMPH OVER NEW MEXICO STATE

5/23/2008

RUSTON, La. - Behind home runs from junior Gabe Jacobo and senior David Flores, the Sacramento State baseball team defeated New Mexico State, 8-5, in a elimination game at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday, May 23.

With the win, the Hornets improved 24-33, winning their first ever WAC Tournament contest, while the Aggies finish the season 28-33 following the loss. The Hornets will play the loser of today's game between Fresno State and Nevada at 3 p.m. Central time on Saturday, and if they win, will play a contest immediately following the game.

New Mexico State opened the scoring in the top of the second, as Colin Crouthamel hit a solo home run to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead. The Hornets tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth on one swing of the bat, as Jacobo connected on a solo home run to left field, his 15th of the season. Sacramento State went on to take the lead later in the inning, as senior Brian Boyd provided an RBI single, and sophomore Tim Wheeler scored on a double-play, giving the Hornets a 3-1 advantage.

The Aggies tied the score in the top of the fifth, as Joseph Scaperotta hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Bryan Marquez, and Tyler Hardt walked, scoring Richard Stout to make the score 3-3. The Hornets immediately fought back in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead, as with two men aboard, Flores connected on a three-run homer to deep left field, his eighth of the season, to give the Hornets a 6-3 advantage.

The lead would grow to 8-3 in the seventh, as senior Wes Oberlin and Wheeler each produced RBI singles in the inning. New Mexico State mounted a small comeback, scoring a lone run in each of the final two innings to account for the final margin of 8-5.

Sophomore Tommy Elrod (1-2) picked up his first win in the Green and Gold, allowing one run in 3.1 innings of relief work. Elrod recorded 10 consecutive outs before allowing a baserunner. Hornet junior starter Brian Smith allowed one run on three hits, while striking out four batters. Tyler Sturdevant (6-6) picked up the loss for the Aggies, allowing six runs, five earned, on seven hits in 4.1 innings.

Jacobo went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI to pace the Hornets, while Boyd, Wheeler, and senior Travis Kirkman each provided two hits. Joe Leghorn was 2-for-3 at the plate for the Aggies, who were limited to six hits on the game.