EUGENE, Ore. - The Sacramento State baseball team dropped a 6-4 decision to the Oregon Ducks on Wednesday, March 25 at PK Park.
With the loss, the Hornets fell to 12-9 on the season, snapping a seven game winning streak, while the Ducks improved to 10-12.
The Hornets opened the scoring in the top of the first, as junior Tim Wheeler connected on a RBI single to center field, scoring sophomore Derrick Chung to give Sacramento State the 1-0 lead.
The 1-0 advantage stood until the bottom of the fifth, when Oregon pushed five runs across the board. Mitch Karraker led off the inning with a double, and scored on a RBI single by Andrew Schmidt to tie the score at 1-1. Following a Danny Pulfer single, designated hitter Antony Kreitz hit a three-run homer to left field to give the Ducks their first lead of the game at 4-1. The lead grew to 5-1 with two out in the inning, as Curtis Raulinaitis provided a RBI single that plated Josh Hogan.
Wheeler cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the sixth, as he led off the inning with a solo home run off of reliever Blake Williams over the right field wall. Then, in the top of the seventh, Wheeler came up with two aboard and singled to right center, scoring senior Hunter Martinez and Chung to pull the Hornets to within one at 5-4.
The Ducks got an insurance run back in the bottom of the seventh, as Caleb Tommasini provided an RBI single to push the advantage back to two runs at 6-4. Relievers Zach Thornton and Drew Gagnier pitched the eighth and ninth innings without allowing a baserunner, and the two teams split the two-game series.
Sophomore Chris Baek (2-2) picked up the loss out of the Hornet bullpen, allowing five runs on six hits in 1.2 innings of work. Sophomore Brandon Sandoval allowed just two hits as the game's starter in three innings of work, without walking a batter and facing the minimum nine Ducks.
Williams (1-0) picked up the win, allowing one run on four hits in 2.2 innings pitched. Gagnier picked up his fourth save of the season, striking out the side in the ninth.
Wheeler and Chung led the Hornets with three hits apiece, with Wheeler providing all four Hornet RBI. Martinez had his 12 game hitting streak snapped following an 0-for-5 day.
The Hornets will return to action at Hornet Field this weekend as they play a pair of doubleheaders against the Menlo College Oaks. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for noon, with Sunday's double-dip scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
