BASEBALL DROPS SECOND GAME OF CAUSEWAY SERIES, 9-3; RUBBER MATCH SET FOR SUNDAY

3/14/2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State baseball team saw their four-game winning streak snapped by rival UC Davis, falling 9-3, on Saturday, March 14 at Hornet Field.

With the loss, the Hornets fell to 5-8 on the season, while the Aggies improved to 3-11.

UC Davis opened the scoring in the top of the first, as with two down Ty Kelly doubled down the left field line, and was brought home on a RBI single by Ryan Scoma, giving the Aggies a 1-0 lead. The Hornets would tie the score in the bottom of the first, as senior Hunter Martinez led off the inning with a single, stole second, and was brought in on a RBI single by fellow senior Blake Crosby, making the score 1-1.

The score remained tied at 1-1 until the top of the fifth, as with with one out and the bases loaded, Scoma hit a slow roller to second base that the Hornets attempted to turn two on, but could not make the out at first, allowing a run home in the process. Eric Johnson then cleared the two runners on base with a two-run double down the left field line, giving the Aggies a 4-1 lead.

UC Davis added an additional insurance run in the sixth, as with one out, Rikki Foster singled, stole second, and scored on a RBI double by Scott Kalush, pushing the Aggie advantage to 5-1.

The Hornets would climb back into the game in the bottom of the seventh, as freshman Aaron Crouch singled to lead off the inning, and following a fly out, sophomore Derrick Chung doubled down the left field line, giving the Hornets runners on second and third with one out. Martinez then provided an RBI infield single to first base, which scored Crouch and Chung, with the latter being able to advance home after Johnson, the first baseman, attempted a late throw after Martinez had touched the first base bag that went wide of pitcher Scott Chew, who was covering on the play. UC Davis got out of the inning with a double play, ending the threat.

But the Aggies would blow the game open in the eighth, scoring four runs on one hit, three walks, a hit batter and two Hornet errors in the inning, making the score 9-3. UC Davis retired the final six batters in order to tie the series at one game apiece.

Sophomore Brandon Sandoval (1-2) pitched six innings, allowing five runs, all earned, on nine hits, picking up his second loss of the season. UC Davis starter Tyler Bremer left the game due to injury following the first, which paved the way for Chew (1-0), who threw eight strong innings allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits while striking out eight Hornet batters with an array of offspeed offerings.

Crosby finished 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Hornet charge, while Martinez and Crouch each added a pair of hits. Junior Josh Powers extended his hitting streak to nine games with a sixth inning single, while Martinez and Chung each ran their hitting streaks to five games.

Kelly and Scoma each went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored to lead UC Davis, who ended a six-game losing streak with the win.

The two teams will play the rubber match of the series on Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m. at Dobbins Stadium in Davis, Calif.