AYERS, CHILTON AND YOUNG LEAD BASEBALL BACK FROM 7-0 DEFICIT TO DEFEAT CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 13-12

3/26/2010

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Freshman Andrew Ayers and juniors Jake Chilton and Kirby Young combined for 10 RBI as the Sacramento State baseball team rallied from a 7-0 deficit to defeat Cal State Northridge by a score of 13-12 on Friday, March 26.

With the victory, the Hornets improve to 7-12-1, while the Matadors fall to 13-7.

Down 7-0 entering the top of the fourth, the Hornets started the comeback trail by scoring one run in the inning on a RBI single by junior Jake Chilton. Four runs came across in the top of the fifth for the Hornets, as junior Kirby Young earned an RBI for a bases loaded walk, Chilton batted in two runs with another RBI single, and an additional run scored on a Matador error.

After Cal State Northridge added a run in the bottom of the fifth to hold an 8-5 lead, Young uncorked a three-run home run to right field, his third in as many games, to tie the score at 8-8. Holding the Matadors scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Sacramento State would then post four runs in the top of the seventh to take their first lead of the game, 12-8. After sophomore Justin Lamb opened the inning with a single and junior Trevor Bloom followed with a double, freshman Andrew Ayers drove both runners home with a RBI single up the middle. Senior Josh Powers was next at bat and he singled through the left side, giving the Hornets runners on first and second with one out. Senior Dan McCarthy stepped up with a RBI single, and Young drove home another run with a fielder's choice groundout, giving the Hornets the four run advantage.

The eventual winning run would come in the top of the eighth, as with two outs and a runner on first, senior Justin Mezzaneras doubled down the left field line, scoring Bloom to give the Hornets a 13-8 lead. The Matadors posted two runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull to within three runs at 13-10, and scored two more in the bottom of the ninth to pull to within a single run at 13-12. With the potential tying run on third base and two down in the inning, Sacramento State called upon junior closer Andrew Galvan, who forced Brad Decater to fly to left field on a 3-2 pitch to close the game.

Freshman Brandon Creel (1-0) picked up his first career win in relief, allowing two runs, only one of which was earned, on four hits in 3.2 innings, striking out four Matadores. Galvan (2) threw to one batter, but earned his second save of the season. Hornet junior starter Logan Todd allowed eight runs, three of which were earned, on 10 hits in 4.0 innings of work.Of the 12 runs surrendered by the Hornet pitching staff, just four were earned. Justen Gorski (3-1) picked up the loss out of the Northridge 'pen, allowing seven runs, all of which were earned, on nine hits in two innings pitched.

Young finished the day 2-for-5 with five RBI to pace the Hornets, while Chilton and Ayers also each went 2-for-5 and combined for five RBI. Mezzaneras finished the contest 3-for-5, and was one of seven players to post multi-hit games for Sacramento State. Dominic D'Anna went 4-for-5 to lead the Matadors, who also got three-hits apiece from Drew Muren and C.J. Belanger.

The two teams continue their three-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Northridge.