BATS AWAKEN LATE, BUT BASEBALL FALLS TO ARIZONA 10-6
3/21/2010
TUCSON, Ariz. - The Sacramento State baseball team scored six runs over the final three innings, but fell to the Arizona Wildcats by a score of 10-6 on Sunday, March 21.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 6-11 while the Wildcats improve to 16-4.
The Wildcats scored in their first four at bats, taking a 5-0 lead after four innings of play. Josh Garcia provided a RBI single in the first inning, and Alex Mejia followed with a sacrifice fly in the second inning. Another run came in the third on a RBI single by Robert Refsnyder, and the Wildcats then posted two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI double by Rafael Valenzuela and a RBI single by Jett Bandy.
The Hornets came back to score three runs in the top of the seventh to pull to within two at 5-3. The first three Hornet hitters of the inning, junior Trevor Bloom, freshman Andrew Ayers and senior Justin Mezzaneras each were hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Junior Kyle Baskett connected on a RBI single for the first run, and then senior Josh Powers provided a RBI walk for the second run of the inning. After an out, junior Trevor Paine provided a RBI single to pull the Hornets to within two while keeping the bases loaded. But the Hornet would end the inning with a double-play, stranding two.
Arizona answered with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, as Josh Garcia hit a three-run homer to center field, giving the Wildcats back a five run lead at 8-3. Sacramento State had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the eighth, and Josh Powers hit a long fly ball that Arizona leftfielder Refsnyder snagged with a diving catch at the warning track, ending the rally. The Wildcats scored two additional runs in the bottom of the eighth, increasing their lead to 10-3.
Sacramento State came back to score three runs in the top of the ninth on a three-run home run to right-center by junior Kirby Young, and got two more runners on base with two down before the game ended with the Wildcats winning 10-6.
Kyle Simon (3-2) picked up the win for the Wildcats, allowing three earned runs on four hits in 6.0 innings. He hit five batters, walked one and struck out four on the day. Senior Jose Ramirez (0-1) picked up the loss for the Hornets, allowing five runs on 10 hits in 5.0 innings of work.
Paine led the Hornets with a 3-for-5 day at the plate, while Ayers and Baskett added two hits apiece. Sacramento State finished the contest with 12 runners left on base. The Hornets played without freshman Blake Miller, who was a late scratch due to a minor injury sufferred in pre-game warmups.
Arizona was led by Bandy, who went 4-for-4 with two RBI, increasing his average on the season to .506. Garcia finished with four RBI for the Wildcats.
The Hornets will travel to Moraga, Calif. to take on the Saint Mary's Gaels on Tuesday, March 23. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
TUCSON, Ariz. - The Sacramento State baseball team scored six runs over the final three innings, but fell to the Arizona Wildcats by a score of 10-6 on Sunday, March 21.
